PHOTO PROVIDED Muncy’s Emilie Nagel poses with balloons after she recorded her 50th career goal recently. Nagel is one of just three Muncy girl players to ever reach 50 career goals, joining Carly DeVore and Aleigha Bigelow.

Warrior Run coach Rob Ryder has a bit of a problem, but it’s a problem he’s more than happy to have. It’s that for the first time in his coaching tenure, he has two goalies on his roster.

Not two kids who are able to play goalie, but rather two players who are legitimate goalies who he can rotate in various games.

Having two talented players in Addy Ohnmeiss and Chloe Burden who can both step up in a tough position and come up with key saves is a problem Ryder is more than happy to have.

“(Chloe’s) a freshman and she does a really, really great job. Addy has been playing well lately, so we’ve been kind of going with her because Chloe can play in field and does a great job in the field,” Ryder said after a tough 2-0 loss against Hughesville last week. “It’s nice to have that problem. I haven’t had two goalkeepers in a long time, so this is first time I’ve had two actual goalkeepers who that’s their position, that’s where they want to be.”

The two have split time fairly evenly this year. Entering this past weekend, Burden had played 673 minutes and Ohnmeiss has played 687. The two both have at least 33 saves (33 for Burden, 51 for Ohnmeiss), and Ohnmeiss, a sophomore, has two shutouts this season in goal.

“I just feel like the defense and the goalkeepers have been doing a great job this season. They hustle, they keep things organized and they’re keeping us alive,” Ryder said.

Ryder has seen a lot of growth in his two goalies. And given that Burden’s only a freshman and Ohnmeiss a sophomore, the two will only get better over the next two seasons.

“Chloe came in and kind of started at the beginning of the season. She’s stronger with communication and more comfortable with the ball at her feet. Addy then started to work at those things, because we talked to them about their strengths and weaknesses, and she worked hard to work back into that spot and get some time,” Ryder said. “We split them some games, others we see where we are at halftime and they just both have been working. It’s an even decision between the two of them. It could go either way any game depending on the need. It’s a hard choice every game.”

A hard choice, perhaps, but no doubt one a lot of area teams would like to have as well.

50-GOAL CLUB

Muncy’s Emilie Nagel didn’t realize she was within striking distance of reaching 50 career goals this year when the season first began. In fact, she had no idea she was even remotely close until she was near 45 goals.

“Then people started to tell me I was getting close to the milestone,” Nagel said.

Nagel recorded her 50th career goal last week off a penalty kick to join the 50-goal club.

“To me, being a 50-goal scorer means all the extra hours training and the many practices with my coaches and teammates have paid off,” Nagel said.

And by reaching the milestone, she joins very exclusive company at Muncy. The only other Indian girl players to ever reach 50 career goals are Aleigha Bigelow (76 from 2016-19) and Carly DeVore (69 from 2011-14).

“Personally being one of three Muncy girls along with Carly DeVore and Aleigha Bigelow to hit 50 goals is a huge accomplishment to me because they are two great players that I’ve looked up to and wanted to be like when I started playing high school soccer.”

The all-time career mark at Muncy in girls soccer is Bigelow’s 76 goals. And, given that Nagel is just a junior, she has a shot next year at giving the all-time mark a run.

ANOTHER MILESTONE

While reaching 50 career goals is a tremendous accomplishment, one could argue reaching 50 career assists is even more difficult and elusive to do.

The list at South Williamsport of players with at least 50 assists is an exclusive one. In fact, it’s very exclusive. There’s only been one player all-time in South Williamsport girls soccer history to hit 50 career assists, and that’s Kate Baldys from 2003-06 who had an impressive 98.

You can now add another name to that list in Aleigha Rieppel. Rieppel recently recorded her 58th assist as she has an impressive 22 this year, leading the area.

Rieppel may not have a tremendous amount of goals that catch your eye, but her ability to dish out assists helps the team succeed, and she embraces that role on the team.

“She relished her contributions to the team and takes great pride in her assist total. She is completely invested in the team concept and is willing to play any role required of or needed from her. We coaches can’t possibly overstate her contributions to the team,” South Williamsport coach Marc Lovecchio said.

As if to make it more impressive, Rieppel had all of her assists this year from a center back position after Lovecchio and his staff moved her from the attacking mid position.

“With her as a center back, we won 14 games and lost one and we have given up a total of 13 goals with eight of those coming in one game against the No. 1 Class AA team in the state,” Lovecchio said. “Yeah, that’s a difference.”

That it is.

DEFENSIVE EFFORT

Jersey Shore knows it has to play some tough opponents throughout the year, such as against Warrior Run, Danville and Milton.

And with offenses that are talented, Jersey Shore knew it had to have an outstanding defense to limit those teams. And the Bulldogs’ defense is doing just that.

Earlier this year, Jersey Shore held Warrior Run scoreless, lost to Lewisburg in a narrow game 2-1, and, in a double overtime contest on Wednesday against Milton, held a very potent Black Panthers team to just one goal.

The Bulldogs are playoff bound, and their defense is a huge reason why.

“With such a tough PHAC schedule you play tough teams all the time. The guys know that if you can hold a great team like Milton to only one goal, you did something good,” Jersey Shore coach Mitch Cornelius said. “They take pride into playing well against tough teams.”

That back line is composed primarily of defenders Owen Farr, Brock Smith, Isaiah Reibson and Pete Bellomo. And that foursome has made it difficult for numerous forwards and midfielders this year.

“They work so well together and set the tempo for our team. They are very aggressive and relentless when defending. Their goal is to win every loose ball and not let the other team get a shot on goal,” Cornelius said. “They have shut out the powerful Warrior Run front line, shut out two great scorers in (Alfred) Romano from Lewisburg and Nick Ritter form Selinsgrove, and allowed one goal to Milton, who has scored 42 goals this year.”

And while that back line is key defensively, Cornelius also noted the contributions they make to feeding the offense.

“They are also key to our offense. Our outside backs Brock Smith and Owen Farr are very good at moving up the field and joining the offense,” Cornelius said. “Owen had the game-winning goal against Mifflinburg. Our two center backs Nick Bellomo and Isaiah Reibson take our free kicks are able to clear the ball 50-60 yards up field.”

Jersey Shore’s back line will give the Bulldogs a big advantage when the District 4 playoffs begin next week.

Jon Gerardi is the sports editor at the Sun-Gazette and covers high school soccer. Email comments to jgerardi@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JonGerardi.

JON GERARDI’S TOP 5 RANKINGS

GIRLS SOCCER

1. MONTOURSVILLE (18-0): The Warriors keep on winning, keep on putting up goals and keep on limiting opponents. Montoursville recorded an undefeated regular-season — the third in program history — and are going to be an extremely tough team to beat in the playoffs.

2. SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT (14-3): Speaking of tough teams to beat in the playoffs, add the Mounties to that list. In South Williamsport’s last 10 games, the Mounties have only allowed two goals — against Muncy. South’s defense is playing well and as a whole, the Mounties are playing excellent soccer late in the year.

3. LEWISBURG (10-6): All win streaks eventually come to an end, right? After winning seven straight games on the road, Lewisburg returned home and fell to undefeated and state-ranked Central Columbia, 6-0, on Monday night. The Blue Jays are one extremely talented,tough team and will give a lot of teams problems in districts.

4. HUGHESVILLE (12-4): After dropping back-to-back games to Lewisburg and Southern Columbia, Hughesville rebounded with consecutive shutout wins against Warrior Run (2-0) and Mount Carmel (6-0). The Spartans’ offense gets a lot of the spotlight, but Bailey Gavitt in goal has played well all year and is a huge reason for Hughesville’s success.

5. MILTON (11-5): The Black Panthers have talent scattered throughout the lineup. They have numerous players who can put in goals such as Mackenzie Lopez, Sammy Roarty and Ryen Roush in addition to a good defense, Milton goalie Mo Reiner can come up with clutch saves when needed. Milton fell in last year’s District 4 Class AA semifinals to Montoursville in a close game, 2-1. Expect the Black Panthers to be motivated to not only get back, but further.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Nyla Kutney, Montoursville and

Aly Taggart, Hughesville

Kutney has been playing great all year long, and had a great performance last week in a game against the defending state champions in Southern Columbia. Kutney scored both of Montoursville’s goals — both assisted by Bryn Jacopetti — to secure the win and keep Montoursville undefeated.

Taggart kept putting pressure against the Red Tornadoes last week, scoring twice and dishing out an assist in Hughesville’s 6-0 win. The Spartans have a lot of weapons who can score, and Taggart showcased her abilities in the win.

BOYS SOCCER

1. LEWISBURG (13-1-1): How dominant have the Green Dragons been? They’ve outscored opponents this year 60-5. And, just one team has been able to score more than one goal against Lewisburg and that was rival Midd-West in early September. What does that all mean? It means Lewisburg’s just as good this year as they usually are, and no doubt will be making a deep playoff run.

2. WELLSBORO (14-2): The 2022 NTL champions have an offense that seemingly scores at will — they’ve scored 76 goals through 16 games — but their defense has flown under the radar a bit. The Green Hornets allow less than a goal per game and have posted 10 shutouts. Wellsboro also has three players with at least 17 goals in Sam Rudy (17), Jack Poirier (18) and Caden Smith (20). Wellsboro will be a fun team to watch in districts.

3. JERSEY SHORE (10-3): After a playoff-less season in 2021, the Bulldogs are back in the postseason for the second time in three years. The Bulldogs have allowed just 19 goals so far this year and their back line has played great all season. They will be key come the playoffs and that foursome of Owen Farr, Brock Smith, Isaiah Reibson and Pete Bellomo will no doubt be looking to make statements.

4. MONTOURSVILLE (9-6-1): The Warriors blanked Bloomsburg on Monday night to wrap up the regular season as the Warriors are postseason bound for a second consecutive season after three years of not making it. It’s also the first time the Warriors are playoff-bound in consecutive years since three straight appearances from 2015-17.

T-5. WILLIAMSPORT (8-6): The Millionaires have been playing a brutal schedule throughout the year, but Williamsport will be more than battle tested when the District 2-4 Class AAAA playoffs start. The Millionaires fell to Lewisburg and Selinsgrove in back-to-back games as they entered Tuesday’s contest with Jersey Shore.

T-5. MILTON (11-5): The Black Panthers are playing well down the stretch with four wins in the past five games entering Tuesday. And playing great in the end of the season is always a good sign as playoffs are about to start.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Sam Rudy, Wellsboro and

Nick Bellomo, Jersey Shore

Rudy came up big the past week for the Green Hornets. First he had a three-goal, two-assist performance in a 6-0 rout over Galeton. Then on Thursday night, he had the go-ahead goal to give Wellsboro a 2-1 win over rival Athens to secure the Northern Tier League title.

Bellomo played great in a 2-1 double overtime win over Milton by scoring both of Jersey Shore’s goals, including the game-winner.