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Muncy scores 2 quick goals to top Montgomery

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Muncy players surround Sacha Alvarez (16) after she scored a goal in the first half against Montgomery on Wednesday. Muncy won, 4-1.

When Montgomery’s Nita Imeri lined up and drilled a direct kick for a game-tying goal late in the first half, Muncy coach Jason Gresh was hoping his team would be able to shake it off and quickly respond.

It didn’t take too long until the Indians did just that.

A few minutes later, Muncy put in two quick goals within a minute span and used that momentum for a 4-1 Mid-Penn win at Montgomery’s Athletic Complex on Wednesday afternoon.

“That was huge. We have to be able to respond. It’s a rivalry game, so you kind of throw out some of the records,” Gresh said. “We started out real tight and we scored one, loosened up a little bit and a girl played a ball quick. That was a nice shot (by Montgomery). But then we responded and I think that’s huge. We responded twice. We played aggressive and that’s what we wanted.”

Imeri placed a ball down 25 yards out for a free kick and sent it perfectly high just below the crossbar with 9:23 to play in the first half to tie the game up at 1-1. It was what Montgomery was looking for after possessing the ball well in the first half and getting some chances.

“You can hear it in their voices like ‘lets go, lets go.’ As soon as they score it makes them hungry for another goal,” Montgomery coach Melissa Balliet said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t get one (after that) but it definitely makes them hungry for it and gets their intensity and energy up.”

While the Red Raiders lost by three goals, Montgomery played well against the Indians and possessed a lot throughout the game, especially in the first 40 minutes. But the Indians played well from a defensive standpoint, not letting players like Morgan Tupper, Erby Imeri and Nita Emery get open looks at the goal or throughballs to make things happen.

“They possessed well at the beginning and we kind of tightened up our defense and our defensive rotations are getting better and better, and our defense is beginning to understand what they’re doing and look more soccer-ish,” Gresh said.

“Especially in the first half, we definitely out-possessed them and took a lot of shots,” Balliet said. “When opportunity came, I guess they just closed down on us, we couldn’t finish is what it ultimately came down to. Definitely out-possessed though, so it’s frustrating.”

After Imeri’s game-tying goal, Ashlynn Fowler sent a pass insde the 18 that deflected off a Montgomery defender and allowed Lauren Anderson to tap it toward the left post for the go-ahead goal. A minute later, it was Aleaha Bigelow who scored a goal off another Fowler assist when she rifled a shot to the left post from just outside of the 6-yard box.

Fowler played excellent for Muncy offensively, helping set up offensive plays and assisted on those two goals Wednesday, giving her five assists in Muncy’s last two games.

The Indians scored their fourth goal late in the second half when Anderson passed a ball to Bigelow, who rifled a shot from outisde of the 18 to the far right post for a 4-1 lead with just 3:04 remaining in the game.

Muncy took an early 1-0 lead when Lauren Anderson sent in a corner kick that took one bounce and found the foot of Sacha Alvarez with 21:46 to play in the first half.

One of Montgomery’s best chances to cut the deficit came with 10:22 to play when Riley Fry got the ball 40 yards out and sent in a deep shot, but Sarah Dgien came up with a block in goal to prevent the Red Raiders from cutting the deficit.

Montgomery kept fighting throughout the second half for scoring opportunities, but couldn’t seem to get that look to put in a goal or two to rally.

“We said if they happen to score first, we don’t give up, we come back stronger. You have to play even harder. They definitely showed that,” Balliet said. “We talked about that and they didn’t give up.”

Muncy 4, Montgomery 1

Mu–Sacha Alvarez (Lauren Anderson), 21:46. Mo–Nita Imeri (direct kick), 9:23. Mu–Lauren Anderson (Ashlynn Fowler), 6:16. Mu–Aleaha Bigelow (Fowler), 5:31. Mu–Bigelow (Anderson), 3:04.

Shots: Mu 10, Mo 6. Corners: Mu 4, Mo 5. Saves: Mu 5 (Sarah Dgien), Mo 6 (Abi Duck).

Records: Muncy (3-2), Montgomery (2-6). Next game: Muncy at Hughesville, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.; Muncy at Sullivan County, Saturday, 11 a.m.

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