Tuesday evening saw a showdown of two outstanding boys soccer teams as unbeaten Montoursville traveled to one-loss Central Columbia for a game under the lights.

Central Columbia played tough and peppered Montoursville throughout the game, but the Warriors stayed composed and never let the Blue Jays score. Instead, Montoursville put in a second-half goal and left Almedia undefeated still.

Montoursville’s Bryce Winslow scored in the 45th minute off an assist by CJ Lucas for a thrilling 1-0 win over Central Columbia in an outstanding game between two of District 4’s best Class AA teams.

The story of the night was Montoursville’s defensive effort.

“Our defense had their best game of the season. We had a game plan to try to disrupt Central’s excellent offense,” Montoursville coach Bryan Pauling said. “Looking at the box score they had 21 shots to our three. While they had more shots, we were able to disrupt the majority of them, or Mason Fry was able to grab the save.”

Fry was a stud in goal on Tuesday. The Warrior recorded 14 saves to prevent Central Columbia from scoring and possibly tying the game late.

“He was a massive part of the win. He was very vocal in the back, which helped the D stay on track,” Pauling said. “He had his best game of the season and has had a very solid season so far. His confidence and leadership has improved significantly this year.”

Montoursville was able to take advantage for its go-ahead goal when Lucas and Winslow got into a good position against a tough Blue Jay defense.

“Central’s D was playing pretty high and we were able to drop a ball between them and the keeper. CJ Lucas hit a header up and over and Bryce Winslow ran it down and knocked it in,” Pauling said. “We only had three shots, but we’re able to get one in the net.”

In their eight previous games, Central Columbia had scored 40 goals and allowed just six into the back of the net, so Montoursville knew it was in for a tough 80 minutes of soccer on Tuesday.

Montoursville never allowed the Blue Jays’ standouts like Gaige Gensemer (14 goals, 10 assists) or Torin Karnes (12 goals, seven assists) to get a goal and score past Fry as both Fry and the Warriors’ back line made life tough for the Blue Jays’ forwards and midfielders.

Montoursville 1, Central Columbia 0

M–Bryce Winslow (CJ Lucas), 44:23.

Shots: M 3, CC 21. Corners: M 3, CC 12. Saves: M 14 (Mason Fry), CC 1 (Gabriel Huss).

Records: Montoursville (8-0), Central Columbia (7-2).