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Coco Kline, Ayla Minier propel South girls past Midd-West 2-0

Chasing after shots and crashing the goal was something that South had been working on recently. In case that loose ball stays in play, someone can take a follow-up shot and bury a goal.

So when Ella Moore rifled a shot from 25 yards out on a free kick, South Williamsport sophomore Coco Kline made sure to be near the 6-yard box in case something happened.

And something happened indeed.

Moore’s well-placed shot was tipped away by Midd-West keeper Addison Maust, but it was tipped back and hit directly off the crossbar. It stayed in play, landing right at the front of the 6-yard box where Kline was at.

The sophomore wasted little time, sending in the shot and putting the Mounties on the board. It was a key goal in a tight 2-0 win on a chilly Tuesday afternoon at South Williamsport against Midd-West.

“We’ve been working on that and she’s really been improving,” South Williamsport coach Marc Lovecchio said of Kline. “I’m really proud of how she played today.”

Kline’s goal broke open a scoreless game with 15:47 to play in the first half in a game where South Williamsport dominated possession.

“I thought we did well, especially in the second half,” Lovecchio said of the possession. “Coco Kline did an unbelievable job up top holding the ball for us and the midfielders were pushing through and holding it, trying to get some give-and-gos and some other things. I was happy with that.”

South Williamsport only yielded one first-half shot on goal to the Mustangs and it came on a direct kick with two minutes to play when Analeena Treaster had a kick from 28 yards out. The Mustang sent it right at standout keeper Althea Street though, who caught it and prevented a possible equalizer.

The Mounties would strike again offensively in the second half with 25:15 for a nice two-goal cushion. Kloey Persun took a corner kick and placed it perfectly into the 18-yard box where Ayla Minier connected from just outside the 6 for the goal to the left post and 2-0 lead.

“We’re trying to mix it up, we’re trying to take some shots and maybe do some give-and-gos or some slip passes, passes behind the defender. I’m glad they’re doing that,” Lovecchio said. “We’ve improved and that’s all you can ask.”

South Williamsport routinely peppered Midd-West through the first 40 minutes. South Williamsport let go 10 first-half shots, five of which were on frame, as a handful sailed just high or wide.

While the Mounties out-shot Midd-West in the first half, 5-1, the second half saw Midd-West put a bit more pressure late trying to avoid being shut out with four shots on goal, three of which were from 20 yards or closer.

But with a keeper like Street, goals aren’t always easy to score. Street ended the game with five saves and recorded her 34th career shutout.

“Althea’s underrated. She is so steady back there. Make the tough ones look easy. That one where she got hit, had it and grabbed it, that was nice,” Lovecchio said. “That was a high-class play and she always covers the ball very well. She takes away those opportunities for those good shots (from other teams). I thought she played very well.”

South Williamsport opened the game aggressively, taking the opening kick and within ten seconds getting down field and firing a shot.

The Mounties had a chance to score with four minutes remaining when Moore got the ball past midfield and used her footwork to get past a few Midd-West players and quickly dished a pass to Kline, who turned and rifled a shot from just inside the 18. While the shot was well-placed, Maust came up with a save to keep it a 1-0 deficit heading into halftime.

South Williamsport 2, Midd-West 0

SW–Cooc Kline, 15:47. SW–Ayla Minier (Kloey Persun), 25:15.

Shots: MW 5, SW 7. Corners: MW 2, SW 5. Saves: MW 5 (Addison Maust), SW 5 (Althea Street).

Records: Midd-West (9-8-1), South Williamsport (11-4-3).

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