The shot was well-placed, but was sent just a foot over the crossbar and out of harm’s way for Muncy.

That was the Mounties’ best chance in the final 11 minutes to score an equalizer against Muncy as the Indians defeated South Williamsport in an exciting game, 2-1, in a rematch of last year’s District 4 Class A championship.

“I think we came out really timid, scared. It’s been awhile since we beat them, we lost obviously in district championship last year. We’re confident but at the same time, we’re young as far as we need to experience winning, and winning these close games. Just like the other night against Troy,” Muncy coach Jason Gresh said. “We were nervous and you could see the nerves. We were paying kickball for about 15 minutes or so then settled in. after the first one, I thought we played pretty well the rest of that first half.

“Second half, we got a little bit nervous trying to win, went back to kickball toward the end of the game and that’s something we need to fix and address as we move forward,” Gresh added.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South’s Coco Kline dribbles against Muncy during a game on Wednesday. Muncy won, 2-1. during a high school girls soccer game between South Williamsport and Muncy at South Williamsport on Wednesday.

Muncy took a 2-0 lead into the half after scoring twice in the final 10:20 of the first half. Zoe Kunkle scored off an assist by Ella Nagel for a 1-0 lead with 10:20 to play. Then, eight minutes later, it was Ava Eyer who was fed an assist by Nagel and scored for a 2-0 lead.

Falling behind by two goals at the half wasn’t ideal for South Williamsport and proved hard for the Mounties rally and claw back from.

“It’s like any athlete, you can’t be afraid of losing. You have to want to win and want to compete. Those are the things we’re learning,” South Williamsport coach Marc Lovecchio said. “I was proud of the second half. We made it a game. We could have folded, but we didn’t and we made it a game against a good team.”

In the second half South Williamsport came out more aggressive. After being held shotless in the first 40 minutes of play, the Mounties recorded six in the second half — four on goal.

“We were playing with some urgency, which is what we need to do the entire game, and we had opportunities. We missed some. They took advantage of their opportunities, we missed some,” Lovecchio said. “They play their style very well. That’s a tough team to play against and we’re, as I kind of said earlier on in the season, we’re young. Our soccer IQs aren’t quite where they should be, you could tell in little skill-based things, we’d miss this trap or miss that pass or we didn’t make this particular run. But we’ll get there.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy players celebrate during a high school girls soccer game between South Williamsport and Muncy at South Williamsport on Wednesday.

South Williamsport had three corner kicks in a row eight minutes into the second half but weren’t able to get a quality shot off on any of the attempts.

While the Mounties kept pressing, eventually a shot did fall through. That came when Kloey Persun dished a pass to Ana Oeler, who scored in the 63rd minute to cut the deficit to one goal and make the game exciting in the final stretch of the game.

But Muncy’s defense was key throughout the game, especially late in not allowing South Williamsport to get good looks at the goal or uncontested shots, and limiting players like Ella Moore and Coco Kline.

“Just like in basketball, defense first. Defense wins championships, right?” Gresh said. “That’s the end of the story.”

Muncy ended the game with 10 shots on goal and in the first half, fired 11 total shots — seven on target. While the two goals came from inside the 18, the other nine shots were from beyond the 18 as South didn’t allow Muncy to get deep into their territory to shoot. And that’s a credit as well to South keeper Althea Street who kept the Mounties in the game and didn’t let the score balloon.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Ella Moore competes during a high school girls soccer game between South Williamsport and Muncy at South Williamsport on Wednesday.

“One took this crazy bounce on her and she made a nice save, another one almost got underneath her. But yeah she’s tough,” Lovecchio said. “She’s obviously a big help.”

With 23:49 to play in the first half, Muncy nearly struck when Ava Eyer fired from just outside the 18 with a high shot that Street knocked down.

Muncy 2, South 1

M–Zoe Kunkle (Ella Nagel), 29:41. M–Ava Eyer (Ella Nagel), 37:47. SW–Ana Oeler (Kloey Persun), 62:04.

Shots: M 10, SW 4. Corners: M 6, SW 7. Saves: M 3 (Eva Nagel), SW 8 (Althea Street).

South Williamsport keeper Althea Street grabs a ball against Muncy during a high school girls soccer game between South Williamsport and Muncy at South Williamsport on Wednesday.

Records: Muncy (4-0), South (1-3).

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy goalie Eva Nagel scoops up a ball during a high school girls soccer game between South Williamsport and Muncy at South Williamsport on Wednesday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Ella Moore dribbles against Muncy during a high school girls soccer game between South Williamsport and Muncy at South Williamsport on Wednesday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy’s Kiki Woodward looks to get around a South defender during a high school girls soccer game between South Williamsport and Muncy at South Williamsport on Wednesday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent South Williamsport's Addisyn Morrison and Muncy's Emma McCormick chase a ball during a high school girls soccer game between South Williamsport and Muncy at South Williamsport on Wednesday.