The Warrior Run girls soccer team has adopted a similar nickname for their own defense this year and are calling themselves the Iron Curtain. The names Nat Hall, Ella Wertman, Andie Bohart and Callie Ulmer may not be as well-known household names as Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes were, but Warrior Run’s Iron Curtain is living up to their nickname the way that Steelers’ foursome lived up to theirs.

“Our defense works really well together. We know how to get each other’s back,” Hall said after a double overtime tie with Montoursville last week. “If one player steps up, we have to replace. We call ourselves the Iron Curtain and I think we lived up to the name tonight (vs. Montoursville).”

Warrior Run sure did on a rainy Tuesday. Warrior Run never allowed Montoursville to score and held the Warriors to just two shots on goal, which can often be easier said than done with players such as Khaya Bennett who can help turn the offense on.

But last week’s game was just the latest of examples of what makes Warrior Run such an outstanding team this year. From a defensive perspective, the Defenders allowed just 11 goals entering Tuesday with nine shutouts.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Warrior Run’s Ella Wertman (24) is shown competing against South last year. Wertman is part of Warrior Run’s back line along with Nat Hall, Andie Bohart and Callie Ulmer.

“We’re a family back there. We work together really well, we know each other We’ve played with each other since our freshman year, so three years now,” Hall said. “We’re losing a couple, so that’s going to suck.”

Only a few teams have been able to score more than one goal against the Defenders. Southern Columbia handed Warrior Run a 3-2 loss in late September and Shikellamy beat Warrior Run, 3-1. Aside from that, Williamsport opened the season scoring twice in a 5-2 loss to the Defenders.

No other team has been able to put more than one in the back of the net.

“Just a solid unit of girls that just play hard and play together and just communicate with each other,” Warrior Run coach Rob Ryder said. “Nat being the center of that and Chloe being the voice behind them giving them vision on the field in front of them. Callie (Ulmer’s) strong in the center and just sticks to whoever they need to stick to.”

In addition, the Defenders’ have a solid keeper in Chloe Burden. The senior keeper has recorded 74 saves this season and has been in goal for all nine shutouts.

“To be able to trust a goalie to drop the ball back all the time is crazy and it helps us a lot to spread out the field. It’s really great to have someone back there like that,” Hall said.

“She’s been fantastic this year,” Ryder added about Burden.

Warrior Run lives up to its namesake of the Defenders, hence its Iron Curtain nickname by Hall and the back line. But while that defense is superb, Warrior Run’s offense is just as good.

The Defenders have an outstanding team from its forwards to Burden in goal and everyone in between, and there’s no weak links anywhere on Warrior Run’s team.

The Defenders have scored 68 goals this season with 15 coming from Sienna Dunkleberger, 12 from Maura Woland and 10 from Katie Zaktansky. Some may have wondered how the Defenders’ offense would fare this year with the graduation of standout senior Raygan Lust last year, who put up 80-plus goals for her career. The answer is the offense hasn’t missed a beat thanks to others stepping up for that void.

Brooke Ryder has six goals, Reagan Brouse has scored five, Hall has scored five, Wertman has scored three, Ulmer, Chloe Bastian and Lacey Betz have scored two and the Defenders have six others with one goal each.

“It’s been great this year because I feel like the goals are coming from anyone anywhere on the field,” Ryder said. “It doesn’t matter what position they play. They’re stepping up and putting the ball in the back of the net from any position.”

“This year’s one of our best teams and I think we’re going to make it really far in the playoffs and I’m really excited to see where we go,” Hall said.

With its outstanding defensive unit, a talented keeper and forwards who cans core constantly, there’s no question Warrior Run will be a tough team to beat come playoffs.

700 AND COUNTING

Not many girl goalies in District 4 have ever reached 700 or more saves in their career. In fact, the list was just three entering this year: North Penn-Mansfield’s Tierney Patterson (1,194 from 2020-23), North Penn-Mansfield’s Alaina McKee (1,080 from 2014-17) and St. John Neumann’s Addy Matz (918 from 2014-17).

Now that list is at four with the addition of Sullivan County’s Mariah Hallabuk.

The Griffin keeper entered Wednesday with 745 career saves, putting her in rare company when it comes to goalies in District 4 history.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch Mariah in goal for the past four years. She has grown as an athlete, competitor and person. She has great instincts and is super fast,” Sullivan County coach Jody McCarty said. “Watching her prove to herself that she can save balls that she didn’t previously think she could has been one of the most rewarding parts of coaching.”

The Griffins had a solid season last year, qualifying for the playoffs and beating Montgomery in an exciting game that came down to the final 15 minutes to advance. And while the Griffins aren’t playoff-bound this year, Hallabuk has been a player her teammates can look up to and is a leader for the team every game.

The senior has 237 saves with two games to play and is averaging 15 saves per game.

“Mariah is about the most selfless teammate you could have on a team. She shows up and plays strong, gives her all each and every game despite sometimes not feeling well or knowing what kind of competition she is up against,” McCarty said. “She has a great mentality and is always positive with her teammates. She faces penalty kicks with a calm that can’t be taught and has saved quite a few over the years. We are so fortunate to have such a tenacious goalkeeper.”

MORE THAN A GAME

Colin Gorini has been around the game of soccer for quite a while. He played at Montoursville before going on to play for Robert Morris. Soccer’s been part of Gorini’s life, but not just from a playing perspective.

He’s helped organize for the last few years the successful Kicks 4 Canines tournament at McCall Middle School in the summer, a youth tournament that this past year raised more than $4,000 for two non-profits that benefit animals with Arthur’s Pet Pantry and the Pet Pantry of Lycoming County.

And Gorini is once again using soccer to do something good.

Over the course of two days on Nov. 8-9, Gorini is preparing a major youth soccer event called the 2025 Veteran’s Day Freedom Cup which will take play at the East Lycoming Soccer Complex in Hughesville.

The tournament will feature more than 80 youth soccer teams from northeast Pennsylvania as well as programs in Harrisburg, Hershey, Lancaster, the Poconos and even parts of upstate New York.

“We’re expecting around 4,000 attendees throughout the weekend, making it one of the largest sporting events in the region this fall,” Gorini noted.

Gorini said that the Freedom Cup is an event built around community and purpose. The proceeds will benefit the PA Wounded Warriors and support veterans and their families across Pennsylvania and the East Lycoming Soccer Association, helping to reinvest in local youth soccer development.

“It’s a meaningful weekend that blends competition, community pride and gratitude toward those who served our country.”

Soccer can be more than just a game featuring 22 players on a field. Gorini has shown that with not only Kicks 4 Canines, but the 2025 Veteran’s Day Freedom Cup coming up next month.

GAINING MOMENTUM

The Loyalsock boys soccer team knew entering this season that the team had the talent and pieces to be playoff contenders again. Loyalsock got off to a rocky start, opening the year just 1-4 and then suffered another 1-4 stretch going into the end of September.

Being 4-8 wasn’t ideal by any stretch, but Loyalsock coach Steve Ertel never lost faith that his team could put things together and still reach the playoffs.

Since that eighth loss, Loyalsock has gone 3-0-1 with a tie against rival Montoursville and wins over Bloomsburg, Mifflinburg and Shamokin.

And now, at 7-8-2, the Lancers are on the cusp of a second straight playoff berth and their seventh in eight seasons.

“The boys, my job is to put them in positions, their job is to execute. Their job is far more difficult than mine,” Ertel said. “A really, really smart group of kids and yeah, they’re clicking here at the end. Camaraderie is great, our brand of soccer is great. Most importantly, the effort’s there. No matter what the outcome is, the effort’s there.”

The Lancers have just one game remaining on the schedule after Tuesday’s matchup with Wellsboro resulted in a scoreless draw. That means Thursday’s game against Shikellamy is a win-or-go-home scenario at play with the Lancers motivated to get a win and qualify.

After all, who doesn’t love late-season playoff pushes?

BLACK PANTHERS ROARING

On Tuesday afternoon, Milton hosted its senior night and the Black Panthers put up eight goals in a rout against Towanda. But that’s far from unusual or out of the norm for Milton. The Black Panthers seemingly are able to put up goals in bunches just about every game.

Milton has scored 70 goals this year and has put up double-digit goals in all but one of the team’s victories this season. And a huge portion of that success has come from standout senior Sammy Roarty, who is putting together an outstanding season.

After an ACL tear in last year’s playoffs, Roarty has scored 21 goals this year, putting her at 76 for her career and counting. She’s part of the catalyst of the Milton offense and is helping the team surge.

“It’s great that we have Sammy Roarty back for this season after last year’s ACL injury in the district semifinals,” Milton coach Rod Harris said. “She worked her butt off in order to get back and be ready to go come August. And she is just as strong as ever.”

Roarty also has a team-high 19 assists and isn’t afraid to dish to her teammates such as Kat Bennage (12 goals) or Maeve Ficks (10).

“It’s amazing that we have been so successful this season. It’s been a tough road, but a very good one for us. We have created a strong team with the ‘next woman up’ statement,” Harris said. “It has truly made us a solid unit with whoever is on the field and has forced us to have to play together.”

Milton is 14-2 after beating Towanda on Tuesday. While the offense hums, the defense is rock solid. The Black Panthers have allowed only 13 goals this year and the defense and notably Sienna Short in goal are key reasons why.

Short has nine shutouts this year with more than 115 saves.

“Sienna has improved a great deal from last year to this year. Her confidence is very high, she communicates very well on the field and has owned the captain of the ship role as the keeper for the team,” Harris said. “Both our defense and her have not allowed many scoring opportunities against us.”

BOYS SOCCER

t-1. LEWISBURG (16-0-1): Fun fact, the Green Dragons (ranked No. 2 in the state in Class AA) have allowed just three goals this entire season through 17 games played. It speaks to how talented the Green Dragons are top to back o the field. The Green Dragons pride themselves on outstanding defensive play and every game, the team’s living up to that. Lewisburg outscored its last three opponents 20-0 and have a season-finale matchup on the road at Crestwood on Thursday.

t-1. MONTOURSVILLE (14-0-3): No one likes a tie but hey, it keeps Montoursville’s undefeated season in tact yet. No one’s been able to hand the Warriors (ranked No. 7 in the state in Class AA) a loss yet after a scoreless draw with Loyalsock, a 1-1 tie with Hughesville and a 2-0 win against Wellsboro this past week. While it didn’t end in time for this edition, Montoursville closed the regular season out wtih a matchup against a 14-win Midd-West team on Wednesday.

3. CENTRAL MOUNTAIN (8-5-3): Since losing a 3-1 matchup with perennial state power Lewisburg, the Wildcats have gone 2-0-1 with wins against Shikellamy and a strong Midd-West team (2-1), and tied Jersey Shore on the road, 1-1. Central Mountain has one last test until the playoffs begin with a road trip to Altoona. The Wildcats have done well distributing the offense this year as 12 players have scored a goal and nine of them have at least two. Dylan Bechdel leads Central Mountain with seven goals while Tim Brinker has five goals and six assists.

4. WELLSBORO (11-5-2): This is Wellsboro’s fourth straight year with 11 or more wins. The Green Hornets battled a motivated and tough Loyalsock team on Tuesday and came away with a scoreless draw with the Lancers. The Green Hornets wrapped up the regular season as Wellsboro will await districts. The Green Hornets have been playing well and have a solid offense led by Jonathan Carl (12 goals) and David Seeling (seven) and a defense that doesn’t yield many easy looks.

t-5. WARRIOR RUN (8-7-1): The Defenders had two tough games in a three-game stretch having to face 11-win Southern Columbia and 14-win Midd-West, both of which handed Warrior Run losses. The Defenders have just two games remaining against Selinsgrove and Milton, and the Defenders will hope to use those to fine-tune things entering districts.

t-5. N.P.-LIBERTY (10-7-1): The Mounties enter the District 4 playoffs with one of the longer breaks before districts start. Liberty’s final game was on Oct. 9 at Athens, a 1-0 overtime victory. While most teams are playing until this Thursday, the Mounties season concluded a week prior. The question will be will that two-week break before playoffs impact Liberty?

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Connor Lang, Loyalsock

The Lancers are making a late-season push to qualify for the District 4 playoffs as they sit at 7-8-2 and Lang has been key here in the last few games. Lang had four saves in a 3-1 win against Shamokin to earn a much-needed victory and had six saves in a 3-1 win vs. Mifflinburg. Lang also helped prevent Wellsboro from putting in a goal on Tuesday in a double overtime scoreless draw. Lang keeps stepping up in goal when needed.

Jon Gerardi’s top 5 rankings:

GIRLS SOCCER

1. HUGHESVILLE (12-4): The Spartans are riding a six-game winning streak and keep building confidence and momentum heading into the playoffs. Hughesville beat a talented Southern team, 6-0, and held off South Williamsport for a 2-1 victory. Hughesville will be a tough team in Class AA when districts begin.

2. WARRIOR RUN (12-3-2): As noted in my column, Warrior Run senior Nat Hall nicknames her team’s defensive line the Iron Curtain and they’re living up to that name. Warrior Run has yielded just 11 goals all season and have shut out three in a row with Northeast Bradford (15-0), Milton (1-0) and Montoursville (0-0).

3. MUNCY (13-2-1): The Indians remain one of just two District 4 girls teams to be ranked in the state in Class A, coming in at No. 6. They’re the highest-ranked team as Southern Columbia is ranked No. 7. Muncy ends the year with three non-conference opponents in Jersey Shore, Wellsboro and Danville. Freshman Kiki Woodward has made a name for herself this year as she has an outstanding 27 goals this year and is a player teams seemingly can’t contain.

4. SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT (10-4-3): South Williamsport made a statement on Saturday with a huge 2-0 win over undefeated Shikellamy, who was ranked No. 2 in the state in Class AAA. The Mounties have a young team this year, but those players gained a lot of experience and confidence by handing the Braves their first loss of the season.

t-5. MILTON (14-2): After losing to Warrior Run in late September with literally a second to play on the clock, the Black Panthers have rattled off three straight wins by beating Lewisburg (6-2), Bloomsburg (3-2, OT) and Millersburg (11-0). The Black Panthers have a tough task next, however, with a season-finale against 13-win Central Columbia.

t-5. MONTOURSVILLE (8-6-3): Montoursville is once again playoff-bound after beating Bloomsburg on Monday, 2-1, as the Warriors have just one game remaining on the schedule. It extends one lengthy playoff streak for Montoursville as the Warriors haven’t missed the postseason since the late 1990s.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Katelyn Temple, Hughesville and Brooke Wilcox, N.P.-Mansfield

Temple is the type of player that you have to defend well, and even when you do, she often can get past defenders and score. She did that on South Williamsport and found the back of the net twice with two key goals in a close 2-1 win against a talented Mounties team. Temple scored both goals as well in less than a two-minute span. Wilcox has been on an offensive tear this year and is having an outstanding season. She scored two goals and had an assist in a 4-3 double overtime loss to Montgomery, had three goals in a 3-2 win against Meadowbrook Christian and added a goal in a 1-1 double overtime draw with Wellsboro.

Jon Gerardi is the sports editor at the Sun-Gazette and covers high school soccer. He can be reached at jgerardi@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JonGerardi.