Any time the Red Raiders seemed to get the ball into South Williamsport’s third of the field, a Mountie was able to clear it out and get possession away from Montgomery.

South Williamsport was dominating possession throughout the second half and Montgomery knew it had to take advantage of any opportunities it would get in order to break a scoreless draw.

It took awhile to happen, but the Red Raiders finally did just that.

With 9 minutes, 20 seconds to play in the game, Cody Sechrist passed a ball to Dylan Sherman near the 18-yard box and Sherman was able to fire a shot to the far-left post past the reach of South goalie Dylan Webb for the game’s first goal.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Brendan Carpenter knocks down a kicked ball in front of Montgomery's Dylan Sherman (00).

It helped spark Montgomery and give the Red Raiders a boost as Montgomery would go on to score a second goal and defeat South Williamsport in a Mid-Penn battle, 2-0.

The win moves Montgomery to .500 (3-3) while the Mounties drop to 2-7.

“Our forwards were a little frustrated. The ball wasn’t bouncing our way today and just the South defense was swarming us and we could get around one ro two of them, but the third one would get us,” Montgomery coach Michael Sherman said. “When we were able to finally break through that gave Dylan a little more confidence because I’m sure he was a little frustrated with his performance too. But that one spurred the second one.”

Just six minutes after Montgomery went ahead 1-0, the Red Raiders broke through with a second goal. Montgomery goalie Conor Irwin booted a great punt from his own 18-yard box that found Sherman’s feet and Sherman, from near the other 18, was able to bury a shot again toward the far-left post for a 2-0 lead which put the Mounties into a tough 2-0 hole with just 3:34 to play in the game.

“It was unfortunate for the timing of it being so late. I wouldn’t say it was deflating,” South coach Chris Vanaskie said. “I think the boys didn’t give up hope. They definitely pushed until the very end but with so little time remaining (it’s tough). They did well to get that one.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgmery goal keeper Connor Irwin fields a kick for a save in the first half.

For coach Sherman and his Red Raiders, they knew how important going ahead 2-0 was against a tough team like South Williamsport which was pressing the entire second half.

“Any time you can get a second one late in the match, you see the transition and everything go in your favor after that. You got to give credit to South, they were hanging in there the entire game,” Sherman said. “The first one goes in, they still are in that match. Up 1-0 is a dangerous lead. You get that second one and you see it ramp down a little bit and see us go up.”

South Williamsport came out aggressive to begin the second half and put pressure against Montgomery right away. After having just three total shots in the first half, South Williamsport recorded three shots within the first 12 minutes of the second half and didn’t let Montgomery get much, if any, possession throughout the first 20 minutes of the second half.

“I think we handled ourselves pretty well in the first half and we basically told the boys to keep pushing hard and be aggressive, win the balls in the air, run through the ball,” Vanaskie said. “Do as much as they can and the winner would probably be the one who works the hardest.”

South Williamsport had some solid chances to score goals in the final 40 minutes of the game and break open the scoreless draw. With 16:23 to play in the game, South’s Kaiden Paulhamus got the ball just inside the 18-yard box from the right-hand edge of the field and fired a nice low shot, but Irwin was able to block it.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgmery's Dylan Sherman (00) fields the ball in front of South Williamsport's Nathaniel Miller (7) in the first half.

With 8:12 to play, trailing a goal, Carson Harris got inside of the 18 and took a shot to the right that went just wide of the net. Gavin Freas also had a chance with 6:41 to play to tie the game at 1-all when he fired from 20 yards out and aimed for the right upper 90, but was just off the mark narrowly wide.

“One thing that can be said about this team is they put in the effort. There’s been maybe one game where they haven’t given 100%,” Vanaskie said. “So I expect that out of them. They expect it out of each other, and if they can at least do that, they can have their heads held high at the end result.”

With 25 minutes in the second half of a 0-0 game, Montgomery looked to have a chance to score when Sherman got a 1-v-1 breakaway look to the 18 and took a shot toward the left post only to see it go narrowly wide. It was one of Montgomery’s best chances to score before finally putting two goals in the final 10 minutes.

Montgomery ended up out-shooting the Mounties, 8-6, and held a total edge in shots attempted, 10-9.

Both Irwin and Webb played well in goal for their respective teams and kept the game exciting until the end. And both coaches gave their keepers plenty of praise.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Dylan Sherman (00) and South Williamsport's Gabe Mitcheltree (17) battle for control of the ball during the first half.

“Conor is a lights out keeper. I have some Hudl film on him that is just unbelievable. He makes saves that I don’t see made in a lot of high school games,” Sherman said of Irwin. “The down side to some of our games that got away from us is they’re getting in too close and he can’t stop those, but any shot he has pretty well contained. He’s very athletic and is pretty good. He’s a smart player.”

“Dylan’s been big for us keeping us in games. He kept us in this game as well,” Vanaskie said of Webb. “We got to do a better job of limiting the shots that come his way though.”

Montgomery 2, South Williamsport 0

M–Dylan Sherman (Cody Sechrist), 9:20. M–Sherman (Conor Irwin punt), 3:34.

Shots: M 8, SW 6. Corners: M 4, SW 3. Saves: M 6 (Conor Irwin), SW 6 (Dylan Webb).

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport goal keeper Dylan Webb reaches for the ball on an attempted score in the first half.

Records: Montgomery (3-3), South Williamsport (2-7).

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Davis Pace (23) and Montgomery's Camden Dalrymple (12) battle for control of the ball during the first half.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Carson Harris (9) drives the ball around Montgomery's Dylan Sherman (00) during the first half.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Bobby Regan (4) heads the ball in the first half.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport goal keeper Dylan Webb comes down with the ball for a save in the first half.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Dylan Sherman (00) heads the ball in front of South Williamsport's Carson Harris (9) during the first half.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Bobby Regan (4) drives the ball around Montgomery's Dylan Sherman (00) battle for control of the ball during the first half.