After multiple promising attacks late, sophomore Elliana Herr was able to crack that wall, bouncing a ball off the sure hands of Central Mountain goalkeeper Alyssa Ford into a pristine spot for her teammate to break through it. Fellow sophomore Aaralynn Kimble did just that, heading the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net and ultimately, jump-starting a three-goal rally that propelled the Bulldogs to a 3-0 win.

For Jersey Shore (2-7), the victory not only ended a seven-game losing streak spanning just over three weeks but also served as its first over the Wildcats (1-4) since 2022. It was a momentous way to close out the skid, the first win in the matchup for head coach Sarah Luprek and most of this young team.

“It’s definitely a confidence boost for the girls,” said Luprek on the win.

“Our culture for a long time hasn’t always been the greatest, but the girls are doing a great job of making an effort to see that change. I think this win will help propel them into the next few games here, so I’m happy with the win and excited to see where we’re gonna land over the course of the next week or two.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Elizabeth Hollick (13) and Central Mountain's Harper Conklin (25) race for a ball during a girls soccer game on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at Malinak Stadium. The Bulldogs won 3-0.

Kimble’s eventual wall-shattering goal was a product of hard work across the board, from the frontline to backline.

A backline featuring Autumn Buttorff, Ella Trunzo and Chloe Corson played a large role in keeping the ball on Central Mountain’s side of midfield, winning 50-50 opportunities, shutting down Wildcat breakaway attempts and tracking down goal kicks and loose balls. And with that came consistent scoring opportunities and a constant battle between Shore’s forwards and Central Mountain’s backline.

It took time, lots of time, for the Bulldogs to break through, with Kimble’s goal occurring after over an hour of scoreless ball. Bierly had two great scoring opportunities thwarted by Ford, with Herr and Sadie Schall experiencing the same (Herr’s in the second half).

But once the team saw the ball find the back of the net, it was a different story.

Just five minutes after the team went up 1-0, Bierly set Herr up for a 1-v-1 against Ford in the box, with Herr sliding it to the right of Ford for the team’s second goal. Then, in the game’s waning moment, Bierly made the most of Shore’s ninth corner kick, giving the Bulldogs their highest goal total since their opening win.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Aaralynn Kimble (19) kicks to ball during a girls soccer game against Central Mountain on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at Malinak Stadium. The Bulldogs won 3-0.

“Once (Kimble) broke through, I think it just started our road to shooting more,” said Bierly, who played a key role in the team’s constant pressure. “We’ve had trouble following our shots and that just showed that we can. It felt really good.”

Despite consistently finding their backs against the wall, Central Mountain (1-4) did all it could to remain within striking distance, only falling out of it after Shore’s second goal near the 70th minute.

In goal, Ford was once again a force to be reckoned with, notching tough save and tough save and ultimately finishing with 16. And her backline, featuring Chloe Foltz, Zaylie Warren, Harper Conklin and Ashlyn Zener, also played key roles dealing with Shore’s consistent attacks.

“The four of them just worked really, really hard,” said Central Mountain head coach Ryan Veltri when discussing his backline. “Chloe plays like a veteran and doesn’t get credit because she’s back there in the dog pound. She marks every team’s best player and as a freshman, I can’t say enough about how much I respect her and value her on our team.”

The young cast has hit a wall since its opening win, one that’s been hardened by an ever-growing list of injuries. Three freshmen – Foltz, Warren and Reese Warner – started on Wednesday night, the latter two for the first time. And seven saw playing time throughout the contest.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Emma Dady (3) pushes the ball downfield during a girls soccer game against Central Mountain on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at Malinak Stadium. The Bulldogs won 3-0.

Wednesday’s defeat was a tough loss within a span a tough losses, one made harder to swallow with it being Senior Night. The hope moving forward is to see its veterans get back on the field and up to speed and to continue to grow through a challenging gauntlet of opponents.

“I think we’ll be okay. The goal for us is to maintain a positive attitude, and just to continue to love each other and suffer for each other,” said Veltri.

“We have three seniors (Hannah Englert, Kendall Veltri and Remington Veltri) who I love to death, and I’m proud of their leadership and how much they love our team. But we’re still very, very young, and I think just grinding it out in a very difficult league is going to be something that they’ll use for the value of the time.”

For Jersey Shore, the goal is to take this spark and build on it. Like the Wildcats, its core is young and enduring growing pains. But the flashes have steadily become more consistent, and the team is excited for what lies ahead.

“We had so much positivity this game, and I think if we just keep up that mentality, we will succeed in the future,” said Bierly. “We have such young talent and if that continues to grow, we’re going to do the best we can.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Ashlyn Zener (18) kicks the ball down field during a girls soccer game against Jersey Shore on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at Malinak Stadium. The Bulldogs won 3-0.

“We’re just hoping to continue making that positive culture shift,” said Luprek. “I have a young team and a really eager crew willing to put in the effort, put in the work. And I’m excited for the rest of the season, and also for the next few years.”

Next up, the Wildcats see quick turnover, as they prepare to take on a tough squad in Central Columbia (6-2) on the road Thursday at 6 p.m. Jersey Shore also hits the road for its next contest, facing North Penn-Mansfield at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Jersey Shore 3, Central Mountain 0

JS – Aaralynn Kimble, 17:10. JS – Elliana Herr (Rees Bierly), 11:53. JS – Bierly (Elizabeth Hollick), :48.

Shots: JS 27, CM 3. Shots on goal: JS 20, CM 0. Corners: JS 9, CM 1. Saves: JS 0 (Kala Notevarp, Chesney Fetzer); CM 16 (Alyssa Ford).

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Jessa Milbrand (12) and Central Mountain's Chloe Foltz (6) wait for a ball to drop during a girls soccer game on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at Malinak Stadium. The Bulldogs won 3-0.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain goalkeeper Alyssa Ford makes a save on a shot from Shore's Rees Bierly during a girls soccer game on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at Malinak Stadium. The Bulldogs won 3-0.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express From left, Central Mountain seniors Kendall Veltri, Hannah Englert and Remington Veltri, pose for a photo after being honored for Senior Night on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at Malinak Stadium.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Rees Bierly (16) heads a ball during a girls soccer game against Central Mountain on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at Malinak Stadium. The Bulldogs won 3-0.