RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Jimmy Pombor (9) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in the first period of a high school soccer game against Danville at Balls Mills Soccer Stadium on Thursday.

You have to go back to 2012 for the last time Williamsport’s boys soccer roster didn’t have a Pombor on the team.

Kolachi Pombor came onto the team as a freshman in 2013 and ever since, it’s been Pombor after Pombor.

Current Millionaire standout and senior Jimmy Pombor is the youngest of the three Pombor brothers, and each one has been a soccer standout in the Williamsport program. But perhaps even more amazing is that each brother’s career has ended the same way: becoming a member of the 50-goal club.

Kolachi accomplished the feat in 2016 after scoring 14 goals his senior year to end his career with 51. Two years later, it was Tom who scored 19 goals to reach 57.

Two weeks ago, Pombor scored the Millionaires’ only goal in a 3-1 loss to Danville to reach 50. It’s one thing to become a 50-goal scorer at a school. But for three brothers to do it all within a five-year span?

“It’s not every season that we have a player score his 50th goal. That milestone doesn’t become reality simply by luck. They each have put in a lot of hours on their own working to improve their game,” Williamsport coach Lee Kaar said. “I think that is a testament to how they were raised as well: they don’t settle for things.

“Whether it’s on the soccer pitch or in the classroom, they work hard and have pushed themselves to be the best.”

For Kolachi, the oldest of the trio, he was more than happy to see his little brother join him and Tom as 50-goal scorers.

“It means a lot to me that Jimmy has reached this mark in his high school career. He definitely proved himself to be a very highly skilled player at the high school and club level,” Kolachi said. “He sees the field better than anyone I have ever played or trained with despite him only standing at 5-foot, 4-inches.”

All of the Pombors had a hand in Williamsport’s success the past number of years. When Kolachi was a freshman, Williamsport won just two games. From there, the program started its remarkable climb to becoming a soccer power in the area.

The Millionaires won the District 2-4 Class AAA title Kolachi’s senior year. Tom was part of three district championship teams from 2016-18. And Jimmy has been part of two district title-winning teams in 2018 and 2020. Oh yeah, Jimmy also earned all-state honors his junior year in 2020.

“Jimmy is an incredible soccer talent. Every opponent is well aware of him and what he brings to the pitch,” Kaar said. “He will have an impact on the game one way or another, whether he’s scoring, dishing out assists or attacking multiple midfielders and defenders. He helps create so many opportunities for himself and his teammates.”

Kaar was able to coach all three of the Pombor boys and noted how the program benefitted from the talented players.

“Jimmy might be the best of the three simply because he had the benefit of playing to battle older, very skilled brothers from a very young age. All three are offensive minded players, but Jimmy can handle the number six position as he often does for his club team,” Kaar said.

“Williamsport has had some great families with multiple sons come through the program. Since i’ve been coaching here, the Smiths, Kavanaughs, Schwoyers, Confairs and Pombors have continued to build a strong program and hopefully future family combinations keep Williamsport at the top of the game.”

The Pombors motivated and pushed one another growing up. Perhaps its a bit funny then knowing that soccer wasn’t even a sport the brothers were first drawn too. Prior to moving to Williamsport, Kolachi played football in State College, something he said was a way of escaping reality for him. It wasn’t until he was an 11-year-old kid moving to Williamsport that he ended up start shortly thereafter.

“I think with growing up together and training with each other, it gave us our competitive edge where if one of us had a certain amount of goals during a session or even in competition, we would try to aim to get the same amount or even more,” Kolachi said. “But as years progressed we started to get a good knowledge of the game with the help of individuals such as Wes Hunt, Lee Kaar, Shawn Temple, Phil Brogan and Darshan Bhangdia. These coaches pushed us in the right path and helped us gain the passion of the game that we have now.”

It was that combination of high school and club ball that helped the Pombor brothers become standout individuals on the soccer field. And in the end, that love for soccer is what helped all three end up becoming 50-goal scorers and follow in one another’s footsteps.

“I would say in a way we do motivate one another because we all share the same love and passion for the game of soccer, and it’s honestly more than just a game for us,” Kolachi said. “I think once Tom and I started playing alongside each other in high school, soccer just became our entire lives. With me being older, it’s amazing to see what the both of them have done with their careers, I can honestly say I’m very proud of all of us.”

100 WINS AND COUNTING

When Vic Gorini took over the Montoursville girls soccer program, he was inheriting a team which had just went 19-3-1 and won a district championship.

The expectations are always high at Montoursville. The girls program is one that’s had a long run of successful seasons, district titles and a state championship, not to mention a handful of remarkable players.

But Gorini not only welcomed the challenge of keeping Montoursville successful, he helped the program continue to get better.

In his first season, Montoursville went 19-2-1, won a repeat district title for the first time in program history and reached states.

In his seven seasons entering 2021, Gorini had led Montoursville to three league championships, three district final appearances, two district championships and has never missed the postseason.

Gorini is a talented coach who can constantly get the best of his players and uses the talents of his players to the best of their advantage, be it offensive or defensive.

Entering Tuesday, Gorini was sitting at 102 career wins. Here’s to thinking there’s a lot more in the future for Gorini and the Warriors.

BROTHERS AND

TEAMMATES…AGAIN

Kolachi and Tom Pombor got to play alongside one another at the club level. They then were teammates for two years in high school.

Now, they’re teammates yet again, this time at the college level. Both Pombor brothers play for Lock Haven’s men’s soccer team, and Kolachi is more than happy to get to have one more run with his brother by his side in the same jersey.

“Not many people get the opportunity to play at the collegiate level in any sport, and there is a very slim chance that they will get to play with their siblings,” Kolachi said. “PLaying with Tom is honestly something I can enjoy because I am aware of how he plays and how we can both help one another on the field.

“I’m very happy for making the return back to Lock Haven University to finish school and my collegiate career because this is my home. Coach Patrick Long has made everything very welcoming and enjoyable for me to choose this sport. He’s more than just a coach to me and the rest of the team, almost like our father’s away from home.”

Both Pombor brothers — and youngest brother Jimmy — got to play in the Susquehanna Valley Futsal League together before going on to play for the Balls Mills Soccer Club and later North Union United.

That’s where Kolachi and Tom played under Darshan Bhangdia with Tom playing alongside Anthony Bhangdia, and Kolachi playing with Tommy and Joey Bhangdia.

ANOTHER 50-GOAL

SCORER

Jimmy Pombor wasn’t the only area player to recently join the 50-goal club. On Saturday, Milton’s Janae Bergey scored a goal in an 3-2 loss to Shamokin and recorded her 50th.

Bergey becomes the Black Panthers’ first 50-goal scorer since former Kentucky standout Caitlin Landis reached the milestone in 2007.

“It is an incredible accomplishment and I couldn’t be more proud of her,” Milton coach Rod Harris said.

Bergey has emerged the last two years as a scoring threat for Milton and Harris knows that she’s a huge reason the Black Panthers are 7-2-1 currently.

“Janae is a huge part of our offense. Every team we play keys on her and she still finds a way to either assist or score,” Harris said.

Jon Gerardi covers high school soccer for the Sun-Gazette. He can be reached by email at jgerardi@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JonGerardi.

JON GERARDI’S TOP 5 RANKINGS

GIRLS SOCCER

1. MONTOURSVILLE (8-1-1): The Warriors tied Lewisburg, 0-0, last Wednesday and then edged a tough Altoona team, 4-3, on Saturday afternoon. Altoona entered the game with an 8-2 record. Montoursville hasn’t been used to trailing this year, and saw itself down 3-2 late in the second half. Then’s when Lydia Earnest tied the game in the 66th minute and Carlie Bryant scored the game-winner in the 71st. Having to comeback in that game will only be beneficial as the year goes forward.

2. MILTON (7-2-1): The Black Panthers suffered their consecutive losses to an extremely talented Central Columbia team (11-0) in double overtime and then Shamokin. Give credit to Mo Reiner, the goalie played as well as you would hope a goalkeeper to play against the Blue Jays, recording an impressive 23 saves to keep Milton in the game.

3. SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT (9-1): Fun fact, the Mounties have scored double digit goals in a game four times this season. South Williamsport’s offense is clicking on all cylinders this season as Piper Minier leads the area in both goals (19) and assists (nine). But add in other threats like Oliva Cassella, Payden Mathieson, Aleigha Rieppel and McKaye Wilton, and it’s easy to see how hard it is to contain the Mounties’ offensive attack.

4. WARRIOR RUN (7-3): After suffering three straight losses from Sept. 11-15, the Defenders have been rolling. Warrior Run since that loss has gone 5-0 and outscored its opponents 19-1.

“Our defense has been just spectacular. They’ve been shutting down passing lanes, taking balls out of the air, turning and playing. I mean, they’ve been awesome back there,” Warrior Run coach Rob Ryder said after beating Loyalsock this year.

t5. WILLIAMSPORT (5-4): Williamsport challenged undefeated Central Columbia (12-0) on Saturday, losing 5-2, but the Millionaires no doubt will learn from that game and move forward. Williamsport beat Midd-West earlier in the week in overtime, 2-1 as Kailee Helmrich and Mallory Pardoe both scored.

t5. HUGHESVILLE (5-4): After suffering three consecutive losses, Hughesville rebounded with a 1-0 win against Bloomsburg to move above .500. Makenzi Leitenberger is proving to be a solid player this season for the Spartans and defensively, Hughesville is playing well as just one team has managed to score more

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Tierney Patterson, N.P.-Mansfield

Patterson played an absolutely remarkable game on Saturday against Towanda, recording 34 saves and did everything she possibly could to keep Mansfield in the game. The 34 saves is the second most all-time in a single game for a North Penn-Mansfield player behind only Alaina McKee’s 40 in 2017. She had 15 saves two days prior against Williamson.

BOYS SOCCER

1. LEWISBURG (8-1-1): When’s the last time Lewisburg’s lost a game you ask? That would be the heartbreaking 2-1 PIAA Class AA semifinal loss to New Hope-Solebury on Nov. 12, 2019. The Green Dragons lost Saturday to 7-1-1 State College, 4-1, but rebounded with a tough 1-0 win Monday to rival Midd-West to get back on track.

2. WILLIAMSPORT (6-3-1): Williamsport got through a tough portion of its schedule, going 2-2 — beating Selinsgrove and Altoona — but what’s looming tonight? A game against defending state champion Lewisburg at Balls Mills. These tough games will be extremely valuable for experience for Williamsport though, win or lose.

3. MILTON (10-1): Milton has been playing outstanding all year. That includes four shutouts in its last five games by blanking Loyalsock, Bloomsburg, Jersey Shore and Shamokin. While the Black Panthers’ defense is playing well — only 10 goals in 11 games — Carter Lilley is leading the team with 14 goals and has 12 assists.

4. SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT (6-1): South Williamsport suffered its first loss of the year to seven-win MIllville on Wednesday, 3-1. The Quakers scored more goals and had more shots (10) than the Mounties had allowed all season. South rebounded with a 4-2 win on Saturday against Hughesville as Gabe Harvey had a hat trick.

5. WARRIOR RUN (7-5): The Defenders are playing well, riding a streak of five consecutive games after dropping a 4-1 loss to Milton on Sept. 21. That includes wins against Central Columbia, Central Mountain, Montoursville and Loyalsock (twice).

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Carter Lilley, Milton and Gabe Harvey, South Williamsport

Lilley was a machine this past week offensively for the Black Panthers. He scored a goal in a 7-2 win against Hughesville, had three goals and an assist in a rout over Bloomsburg, added a goal and assist in a 4-0 win over Jersey Shore and then capped the week off with two goals and three assists on Monday. Seven goals and five assists in four games isn’t too bad of a week. Harvey helped single-handedly lift South Williamsport to a win against Hughesville on Saturday. The Mountie recorded his first hat trick of the season in South Williamsport’s 4-2 win. The Mounties have plenty of offensive playmakers, and Harvey is definitely one of them.