Over the past few months, Nagel has become more than comfortable in goal and on Saturday, she showcased that confidence.

Nagel recorded six saves on Saturday and posted a clean sheet against an outstanding Southern Columbia team, arguably the toughest team Muncy has faced so far this season. And to come up clutch on a big stage for the District 4 championship? Coach Jason Gresh was more than happy to see her excel.

“It has to give her a boost of confidence. When she believes in herself, she’s as good as any keeper in the area, any keeper in the state, when she believes in herself. That’s all we’re trying to do, make her believe she deserves to be here. It’s tough,” Gresh said. “I’m not saying Addi (Gresh) was greatest keeper in the world, but she watched behind Addi and last year she’s in front of Addi. Now we’re asking you to step off the field as an all-league defender and go into the goal and do something completely different? That was always the plan, but at the same time it’s not always easy to execute that plan. She has fulfilled it beautifully.”

Nagel has played great in her first year as a keeper. She’s recorded 74 goals through 18 games this year and is averaging 4.1 per game. She also has an 0.800 save percentage and has recorded a total of eight shutouts, among the area’s leaders.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Muncy keeper Eva Nagel (88) during the District 4 Class A championship game at Milton on Saturday.

Her eight shutouts entering states are behind only Milton’s Sienna Short, who ended the season with nine.

“I definitely miss defense, but being able to be goalie for my team and helping out, I love the seniors,” Nagel said. “I love all the girls on the team, we have a great connection. Whatever’s best for the team is what I love to do.”

And Nagel being in goal has paid off big time as for what’s best for the team. Nagel has also seen herself grow tremendously since the preseason began in mid-August.

“I’ve had a huge improvement with Todd (Modispaw) as my goalie coach, I’ve put in a lot of work this season to work on a lot of things,” the sophomore keeper said. “I feel I’ve made a huge improvement especially since the last time we played each other.”

That first meeting between Southern Columbia and Muncy saw the Tigers win in a rout, 7-2. Nagel never let that lopsided loss affects her play or make her anxious in goal on Saturday. Instead she played confident, recorded six saves and kept a zero o the scoreboard, especially in the final eight minutes as Southern pressed, trailing 1-0.

Muncy has allowed just one goal this postseason which came to Line Mountain in the District 4 Class A semifinals. The Eagles scored in the final five minutes with the game all but sealed.

So does it give her confidence going into states with a shutout in the district final against the district’s top seed?

“Oh yeah,” Nagel said with a smile. “I think everyone’s confidence will be boosted. I feel that’ll help us play better for the next game.”