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Patience the key as Montoursville girls beat Lewisburg

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Lewisburg goal keepr Bethany Rippon dives for the lose ball as team mate Chloe Michaels (2) helps defend on an attempted head shot by Montoursville's Erin Witter (27) in the second half.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Montoursville's Allyse Marchioni heads the ball over Lewisburg's Grace Rosevear in the first half of Wednesday's soccer game played at Montoursville. The Warriors won, 1-0, on a goal by Kyleigh Balint. MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Lewisburg's Sarah Burns (21) and Montoursville's Caroline King (14) battle for control of the ball during the first half. MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Lewisburg goal keepr Bethany Rippon dives for the lose ball as team mate Chloe Michaels (2) helps defend on an attempted head shot by Montoursville's Erin Witter (27) in the second half.

It doesn’t matter how talented of a team Montoursville or Lewisburg has or how good they seem to be on paper. Nor does it matter if one of the team is struggling record-wise coming into the game.

Montoursville coach Vic Gorini knows it will be a battle any time his Warriors have to play Lewisburg, whether they’re on the road or hosting the Green Dragons. And he knew Wednesday wasn’t going to be any different.

Despite not having a ton of great looks to score early on, Gorini knew that the girls would have to just keep working at it and looking for that opportunity to put in a goal. About halfway through the second half, that opportunity finally presented itself for Montoursville.

As Anna Schult took the ball outside of the 18 near the goal line, she saw Lewisburg’s goalie come out and teammate Kyleigh Balint open on the far side of the goal.

Schult didn’t waste much time, quickly passing it to her right past Lewisburg goalie Bethany Rippon and right toward Balint, who chased it and tapped it just inside of the right post, almost following the ball into the back of the net herself.

It was the lone goal of the game as Balint helped lift the Warriors to the 1-0 win off Schult’s assist midway through the second half to remain undefeated.

“The kids just had to keep plugging away. This is how it goes every time we play Lewisburg, no matter what they play us very tough and it’s always rough scrap to get the victory,” Gorini said. “No matter how we look on paper, always goes down to wire with them.”

The goal from Montoursville (6-0) came about 17 minutes after Lewisburg (2-4-1) nearly let up an own goal which Rippon managed to save at the last moment by slide tackling the ball away.

The Warriors had chances and looks throughout the game, but Lewisburg’s defense — especially the play of sophomore Chloe Michaels — helped keep Montoursville from getting many great looks, holding Montoursville to just two shots on goal.

“I haven’t seen a better defender in the entire league. I’m not just being biased, just the truth. The girl’s just outstanding,” Lewisburg coach Jose Vega said. “She’s quick, she’s just a superb player. She gives you 110 percent. This kid is just a really, really good player and she’s only going to get better.”

In the first half, Montoursville’s only shot on goal came when Balint got the ball about 15 yards out and tried firing it, only to have it deflect off Rippon, who came out of the goal to block it with about five minutes remaining in the first half. It was the first shot on goal for Montoursville.

Schult had a nice look in the first half as well at an open goal, but her shot rolled just wide past the right post.

“We’re still developing in some areas. We have a lot of areas to improve on as we get farther into the season,” Gorini said. “We’re getting the wins, so we’re happy about that, but we definitely have a lot to work on and we’re going to continue to improve. We still have to bring some of our younger players into the fold.”

Lewisburg held a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal and had a lot of nice chances in the first half, testing first-year starting goalie Avery Zales. But Zales made numerous stops and saves to post her third of the season.

One of the Green Dragons’ best chances to score a goal came just two minutes into the second half when Grace Rosevear took a shot from 25 yards out and tried to go high, only to see Zales tip it forward then grab it.

With 14:20 to play, it was Michaels who took a shot from 35 yards out that she sent high. Zales again made the stop.

Montoursville didn’t allow Lewisburg to fire a single shot from inside the 18, continually forcing the Green Dragons to try long shots.

“We had the chances, just way it goes sometimes. They battled, they never quit, but for most part of the game, we were the better team, just how the game goes sometimes,” Vega said. “I’m proud of way the team responded and played well. We’re still competitive, but 2-4-1 now, we just keep going downhill, but the girls don’t have quit and they’re playing great.”

Montoursville 1, Lewisburg 0

M–Kyleigh Balint (Anna Schult), 19:55.

Shots: L 6, M 2. Corners: L 3, M 2. Saves: L (Bethany Rippon) 1, M (Avery Zales) 5.

Records: Lewisburg (2-4-1), Montoursville (6-0).

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