Montoursville made the Green Dragons work for it, but Lewisburg stayed patient and organized en route to a 3-1 win at Balls Mills Soccer Complex on Tuesday.

The key to Lewisburg’s win was stout play at the back. Montoursville had weapons like Bryce Winslow, Quinn Winslow,CJ Lucas and others capable of hitting Lewisburg on the counter attack for a goal. But even when Lewisburg could have been a bit frustrating early on when they were controlling possession but couldn’t quite find the back of the net, they kept their shape and discipline at the back.

“They’ve got some really good players, the Winslow brothers, CJ and Liam Lucas. They can play, and they can make you pay with one moment,” Lewisburg coach Ben Kettlewell said. “But we just keep staying organized and talking and doing those things and being patient.”

The Green Dragons controlled the early part of the game with plenty of possession in the attacking-third, and in the 23rd minute, they got it to pay off.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Gian Carmine (25) moves the ball past Lewisburg's Keegan Crosby (6) during a District 4 Class AA semifinal game on Tuesday at Balls Mills Soccer Club. Lewisburg won 3-1.

Isaac Ayres received a pass from Keegan Crosby on a tight angle, but somehow found a way to slot the ball into the net to get Lewisburg on the board.

Then Viktor Permyashkin would add another tally to his fantastic career with a phenomenal strike into the top corner of the goal from just outside the penalty area to give Lewisburg a 2-0 lead with 13:27 remaining in the first half.

“I played the ball through to Jack Kohl) and they were sticking a guy on me, and he left me. So I was like, ‘I’m just gonna collect this ball.’ I’ve practiced that shot so much, and it was kind of like second nature, and it was able to go bar down,” Permyashkin said.

Montoursville was able to stay within striking distance of Lewisburg in their first district semifinal appearance in recent memory. Lewisburg was able to extend the lead to 3-0 on a goal by Isaac Ayres off of a cross by Permyashkin, at the halfway mark of the second half. But Montoursville was able to quickly answer back.

Bryce Winslow received a pass 40 yards from goal, took a few touches and unleashed a shot that looked to be drifting wide. But the ball caught the inside of the top right goal post, and came down just across the goal line to get Montoursville back within two goals at 3-1 with 17:29 remaining in the match.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Bryce Winslow (5) moves the ball downfield and goes on to score during a District 4 Class AA semifinal game against Lewisburg on Tuesday at Balls Mills Soccer Club. Lewisburg won 3-1.

Montoursville pushed to try to cut further into the lead. But Lewisburg’s ability to keep the ball, and their organization when they lost the ball, meant that they comfortably held on to that 3-1 lead to clinch another district finals appearance.

It was a tough ending to a fantastic Montoursville season that saw the team win 17 games, and Tuesday’s defeat was just their second loss of the season. The Warriors will lose a talented senior class, but will return plenty of talented players to build on the success the program has seen the last few years.

“We just had a little chat about it. The seniors this year really elevated the program. They worked so hard to get everyone around them to play hard and play better,” Montoursville coach Bryan Pauling said. “We had a couple of really good leaders in that senior class, and they’re going to be hard to replace as we move into next season. We looked to them so much this year to be the keys for us on and off the field.”

Lewisburg is set for a much-anticipated matchup against rival Midd-West in a battle of state-ranked teams in the district final on Saturday at a location and time to be determined. They’re going to continue with their mindset of taking things one game at a time.

“We have a mentality of only looking to the next game. You can’t promise anything beyond that,” Permyashkin said. “We just focus on what’s next. We’re not looking ahead to states. We’ve got some business to take care of on Saturday, so that’s what we’re focused on.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lewisburg's Keegan Crosby (6) dribbles the ball past Montoursville's Adam Shearer (18) during a District 4 Class AA semifinal game on Tuesday at Balls Mills Soccer Club. Lewisburg won 3-1.

Lewisburg 3, Montoursville 1

(DISTRICT 4 CLASS AA SEMIFINALS)

L–Isaac Ayres (Keegan Crosby), 17:21. L–Viktor Permyashkin 13:27. L–Ayres (Permyashkin), 20:05. M–Bryce Winslow, 17;29.

Shots: L 16, M 2. Corners: L 6, M 0. Saves: L 0 (Gabe Pawling), M 6 (Mason Fry).

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lewisburg's Keegan Crosby (6) dribbles the ball past Montoursville's Liam Lucas (19) during a District 4 Class AA semifinal game on Tuesday at Balls Mills Soccer Club. Lewisburg won 3-1.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montoursville's Quinn Winslow (6) moves the ball during a District 4 Class AA semifinal game against Lewisburg on Tuesday at Balls Mills Soccer Club. Lewisburg won 3-1.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lewisburg's Roan Beachy (8) dribbles the ball past Montoursville's Gian Carmine during a District 4 Class AA semifinal game on Tuesday at Balls Mills Soccer Club. Lewisburg won 3-1.