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Jon Gerardi on soccer: South’s 2006 soccer team reflects on magical season 20 years ago

By Jon Gerardi 16 min read

Twenty years ago, a bunch of girls at South Williamsport made history. That 2006 Mounties team went undefeated and became the first-ever area girls soccer team to capture state gold by winning the PIAA Class AA championship vs. Greensburg Central Catholic, 3-1.

They became the first area girls soccer team to claim state gold and had a talented roster all around, and just the second-ever area team to win gold, joining the 2000 Lewisburg boys at the time.

It's tough to believe it's been 20 years since that team won states. And last Friday, the majority of that team and coaches got back together for a ceremony at South Williamsport's Rodney K. Morgans Stadium at halftime of the Mounties’ game against Wellsboro.

"I look back on that season with so much pride. I’ve always loved soccer, and I still do. What made it so special was the group of girls I got to experience it with," said Heather Brennan, who was part of that team. "Many of us had played together since our early years, growing up traveling the East Coast for tournaments and playing year-round. The 2006 season felt like magic and a beautiful send-off for many of us."

Being back together was something the team enjoyed last week.

"I'm excited to see my former teammates at the 20th anniversary celebration because many of us have not seen each other in years, so it will be wonderful to reconnect with everyone in attendance," said all-time scorer Christa Matlack, a key member offensively of that team. "This season provided us with memories that will last a lifetime and a bond that I hope we can continue to celebrate for years to come."

That was a special season, and one the players recall quite vividly.

KNOWING IT WAS A

SPECIAL YEAR

It's hard at times to pinpoint a moment in a season when you know there's a possibility to make a run or accomplish a previously unattainable goal. But for South Williamsport in 2006, it was a mix of moments where it happened.

In the years leading up to 2006, Montoursville always had South Williamsport's number it seemed. The Mounties, while fielding a lot of talent, couldn't get past the Warriors.

In 2006, that changed when South tied Montoursville in the regular season.

"It was the first time in our career at South Williamsport that we did not lose to them in competition," Matlack said.

That helped spark the fuel and motivation.

"We knew years prior that we could win. Most of us played soccer all-year round, club soccer, team camps, indoor soccer," former Mountie Katelyn Bowen (Baldys) said. "We would meet up regularly (in the) offseason and play pick-up games with our boys team, which thinking back was very helpful and they do deserve credit for that. We started the season say we would win states."

The tie against Montoursville and being able to compete against the Warriors was one of many pieces that lined up to make the players realize it was a special season.

From the on-set of preseason practices that year, the team knew they could accomplish something.

That summer during camps, the Mounties players made bracelets they wore which they all promised not to take off and committed to becoming state champions.

"We believed in that goal from day one," Brennan said.

"We had such great attendance at an optional team summer camp that the level of commitment to the team and support for each other felt extremely unique," Matlack added.

For Tracy Knoebel, who coached the team that year and was hired the previous spring to lead the team, she remembered from the beginning the expectation was there from the very start.

"We talked about goals and it was absolutely in the forefront of everyone's mind. Those kids, parents, previous South coaches and club coaches put in a ton of effort and the girls were really dedicated to the game," Knoebel said. "Almost the whole starting lineup had played club soccer at one point or another during their high school career. And even though they had won the Mid-Penn for several years, they had never won districts or beaten Montoursville, Shikellamy or Danville. So when we started trying and beating those teams, it really gave us the belief that it was within reach.

"And when the previous state champion, Villa Joseph Marie, didn't make it out of their district bracket, it became clear there was a good path to Hershey."

"I remember the unity, and feeling part of something bigger than myself and the community that it built around us," former Mountie Kaitlyn Singer said. "I remember both relief and excitement as we kept dominating and moving forward to the state championship."

AN OUTSTANDING TEAM

When people think of the 2006 South Williamsport girls soccer team, most recall Matlack and her becoming the program's all-time goal scorer with 176, which still stands 20 years later.

But there was a lot of talent throughout that team. Kaitlyn Bower ended her career with 88 career goals, Bowen had 98 career assists, the second-most assists all-time in District 4 and, at the time, the most ever.

And defensively, the Mounties had a strong. back line and in goal? Trista Lukens anchored things and helped the team win.

"They were so hungry to do what it took to be at the top. They did extra workouts on game days, showed up in the dark after hours to set us up for success," Knoebel said. "The parents helped with everything from rides to food, and all the players and coaches would run through a wall if it was asked of them. It was just the epitome of team."

"Our biggest strength was our believe in ourselves," Bowen added.

That team-first mindset was key as well for the success and the pieces all working together on the field to go 26-0-1. That team also scored 168 goals.

"Team chemistry was one of our greatest strengths. A core group of the team had played together through youth soccer and some into club soccer, so we had both a great understanding of the game and each other's style of play," Matlack said. "This gave us an advantage because we could easily anticipate each other's next move, which increased our speed of play, allowing us to outpace many of our opponents."

Playing over the years helped the team succeed as well.

"We knew the game and how to play together. Having competed together for years, we understood spacing, movement and each other's tendencies," Brennan said. "Our constant communication on the field was a strength, not a weakness like many other teams. We were all great players and our chemistry made us a special team."

For Bowen and Matlack, that scoring duo played together since they were 9 years old, and the pair were close friends in addition throughout high school. Now, their kids go to the same school together.

"Christa's speed was obviously incredibly helpful for how we ran our offense. Weaving balls through holes in an opponent's defensive line is much easier when the person receiving them can eat most everyone else to the pass," Bowen said. "What I would say was most helpful in our championship season was actually the offensive play from our defenders. Our outside backs and at times, even our center backs, would make wide, deep runs. Back when we played, this confused the opposition because not many teams were using this strategy.

"As a central midfielder I learned to switch the field and send a long pass to an outside back making a deep run in offensive territory. The outside or center back would complete the run with a corner leading to many goals or gains in our offensive position," Bowen added. "This was a strategy we learned while playing club soccer and requires the right personnel to successfully achieve."

The team had a mix of upper classmen and some younger players who meshed perfectly and didn't have any weak spots in the lineup on the field. Even reserves played outstanding when called upon.

"Our biggest strength was our experience. The majority of our team had already been together for years by the time we were in high school," Singer said. "We knew each other as players and friends. Outside of high school soccer, many of us were playing in travel leagues and competing all over the northeast. We knew how to read each other and work as a team."

CAPTURING GOLD

South Williamsport's path through states was almost like going through districts once again. The Mounties beat District 4 fourth-place finisher Athens, 6-0, in the first round of states before knocking off longtime foe Montoursville, 2-1, in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, South beat Danville, the District 4 runners-up, 3-0, to earn a berth to Hershey to take on Greensburg Central Catholic.

"We believed in hope. We believed in belief. We believed in miracles," Bowen said. "We believed we could win states, something that to most was far fetched. … We had an unwavering mentality as a group that we would win and we did."

Greensburg Central Catholic tied the game up in the 28th minute at 1-1, just two minutes after Matlack scored the opening goal for an early 1-0 lead. But after Greensburg Central Catholic tied it, South kept battling and didn't get down.

It resulted in Matlack scoring twice, once a few minutes before the half and again with 22 seconds left in the game for the hat trick.

The celebration began from there and 20 years later, the team still fondly remembers it as if it just happened last night.

"I've stayed around high school soccer in one capacity or another for the last 2 years and the level that group played at was tremendous. They were tough, ridiculously fit, had incredible ball skills, a high degree of soccer knowledge and, most importantly, they really understood what it meant to work together and be unselfish," Knoebel said.

That South team scored first in every game they played that year and, with the exception of playing Montoursville, won by at least two goals every game and posted 17 shutouts over 28 games.

"At the time we just knew as a group that it was in our grasp to accomplish. Looking back after having multiple teams in our area win state championships, it's a real honor," Knoebel said, noting Montoursville, Loyalsock, Warrior Run, Southern Columbia and Central Columbia girls and Lewisburg boys winning titles since. "A big part of accomplishing a goal like that is believing it can happen and when soccer players see it done locally, it seems real and obtainable."

It's a sentiment that Matlack echoed.

"It is surreal. There are trailblazers in sports that set the stage for the next generation of athletes, but we never expected to be one. Our season was magical, our team was special and we were backed by our school and community each step of the way," Matlack said. "I'm grateful to have been a part of such a memorable moment in sports for South Williamsport and surrounding communities."

IT STARTS AT THE TOP

An outstanding team can accomplish a lot, but more often than not, a talented coach is required to lead that group of players. That's what Knoebel meant to that team in 2006.

Knoebel helped coach that group to the top of the mountain in high school soccer, and her players remembered what she was like as a coach.

"Coaching transitions are typically tumultuous for any athletic program, but Tracy's leadership, motivation and knowledge of the game eliminated any challenges we may have faced that season," Matlack recalled. "Tracy and her staff (Matt Reber, Pat Brennan, Gary Moyer and Mindy Smith) were the foundation of our team's success, and exactly who we needed to lead us to a championship. Without them, I don't think that season ends with the same result."

"She made that season fun while helping us execute our vision," Brennan said. She helped turn our shared goal into a reality."

Singer added to the praise of Knoebel's coaching abilities.

"Tracy is the best type of coach -- focused, but caring; blunt, but can still crack a joke; and above all driven and incredibly knowledgeable about the game," Singer said. "She is an accomplished player herself, and having experience as a player and a coach is what I think made the difference."

IN THE HUGHESVILLE

RECORD BOOKS

Hughesville's had a number of talented boys soccer players over the years, but Carter Gormont has put himself into exclusive company all by himself. In Hughesville's final game, Gormont scored a goal to give him 41 this year entering the District 4 playoffs.

His 40-plus goal single-season is the most ever by a Hughesville player and makes him the single-season scoring leader all-time.

Quite the accomplishment for the Spartan standout.

In addition to his 41 goals, he also has seven assists, fourth-most on the team.

"I'm really proud to see Carter hit 40 goals this year. ... He's been a key player for us this year and often gives us the spark we need to get momentum going," Hughesville coach Cole Lesher said. "Carter has been training hard and continues to grow as a player, helping us take care of business among other major contributors on the team."

Gormont's a key reason the Spartans have recorded nine wins for the second straight year. It's also the first time since 2018-19 that Hughesville's boys program has recorded back-to-back seasons with nine or more victories.

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

JON GERARDI’S SOCCER RANKINGS

BOYS SOCCER

1. Lewisburg (14-2-1): The Green Dragons are back in the playoffs. In other news, the sun rose this morning. The Green Dragons have only missed the postseason once since 2000 and that just shows the consistency of the program to always excel and keep producing wins.

2. Montoursville (10-5-3): The Warriors suffered a season-finale loss against Lewisburg, but the Warriors are still in the postseason. Montoursville is competing in the Class AAA field this year and Montoursville has a really good chance to make a run to the final. Montoursville's schedule has helped prepare it for tough games with Lewisburg, Williamsport, Warrior Run, Millville and Loyalsock among others.

3. Williamsport (11-5): The Millionaires final three losses? Midd-West, Lewisburg and Montoursville. Two are in this year's District 4 Class AAA semifinals and Lewisburg is the No. 2 seed in Class AA. That's more than a tough schedule late in the year, but one that helps get Williamsport ready for the District 2-4 Class AAAA playoffs.

4. Warrior Run (14-4): The Defenders suffered a tough 1-0 loss to Benton to wrap up the season after back-to-back wins against Jersey Shore and Selinsgrove. Warrior Run is hoping to make noise in this year's district playoffs. Warrior Run hasn't won district gold since 2004, and the Defenders want to change that.

t-5. Wellsboro (15-2-2): The Green Hornets no doubt want to make a deep postseason run in the Class AA field in districts. This is the 14th consecutive season Wellsboro has qualified for the playoffs as well, showing how the Green Hornets have turned into district contenders annually. Wellsboro has a tough draw in the bracket though, with a potential showdown with No. 2 state-ranked Central Columbia in the semifinals if both teams win.

t-5. Loyalsock (9-6-3): The good news for the Lancers is that Loyalsock is once again in the district playoffs. The bad news? They have a draw with second-seeded Lewisburg, the defending PIAA Class AA champions. It's never an easy matchup in the postseason with Lewisburg. Loyalsock has talent throughout its team, up top through the back line and in goal, and would need to play mistake free against Lewisburg.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK -- Riccardo Montini Bellosio, Montoursville: Bellosio came up big for the Warriors in a key game against Williamsport on the road. The Warrior scored twice in the first half to give Montoursville a 2-0 lead and helped spark the Warriors en route to a 3-2 win against a talented and tough Williamsport squad.

GIRLS SOCCER

1. Montoursville (9-5-3): Montoursville has a district rematch against Troy in Class AA, but Montoursville has an unfortunate draw in districts. A win by the Warriors would mean a matchup against perennial power Central Columbia, ranked No. 2 in the state. That will be a tough matchup for the Warriors if they advance.

2. Warrior Run (11-7): The Defenders are in Class A this year and are seeded fifth in districts. They play defending District 4 Class A finalist Southern Columbia in a tough quarterfinal draw this year. The Defenders are playing well defensively though and Melody Gardiner has shown she's a talented goalkeeper who can keep Warrior Run in games.

3. Hughesville (9-7-2): The Spartans are motivated to make a deep run after falling in last year's semifinals and coming a win shy of reaching the final and securing a state berth. Hughesville has Montgomery in a tough first-round matchup against a hungry and motivated Red Raider squad.

4. South Williamsport (8-4-6): The Mounties are a dangerous team who can compete with a lot of teams. The Mounties are a younger team, and not necessarily the most experienced, but they've shown they can win if they play well. South would have a tough draw against top-seeded Line Mountain if the Mounties advance to the quarterfinals.

t-5. Williamsport (7-4-7): Williamsport's seven ties are the most for a single-season in program history. Williamsport is hoping though the team can learn from those ties and know how to convert those moments into wins as districts draws near.

t-5. Loyalsock (7-7-4): What a late-season run for Loyalsock. The Lancers suffered a 2-1 loss to Muncy on Oct. 10 and were in a situation where they would need to win out to clinch a district spot. The Lancers did precisely that, beating Mount Carmel, Mifflinburg, Shamokin and Sullivan County in consecutive games, recording four shutouts along the way, to enter districts. The Lancers have a lot of confidence and momentum heading into the postseason.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK --Madi Perry, Loyalsock, Williamsport: Perry recorded a hat trick in Loyalsock's regular-season finale to give the Lancers a 6-0 win against Sullivan County to clinch a playoff berth. She also had three assists in a 7-0 rout over Shamokin.

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