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ASHLAND -- Hughesville was pressuring Moravian Academy throughout the first 20 minutes of Saturday's PIAA Class A quarterfinal matchup and possessing that entire time. The Spartans were patiently trying to put in a goal to get some momentum.
And for a moment, it seemed like that goal happened when Jaysa Kiess tapped in a rebounded shot with 23:01 to play. But an offsides call negated that goal, putting the score back to 0-0 on the scoreboard at Spartan Stadium at North Schuylkill.
Hughesville didn't get frustrated or upset, however. It was back to work and putting that pressure on.
Sure enough six minutes later, they struck for good this time.
Kat Temple got the ball 15 yards out and rifled a shot to the left post as Moravian Academy keeper Laurenstine Moore came out and put the Spartans on the scoreboard and from there, Hughesville kept dominating and possessing en route to a strong 3-0 quarterfinal win over Moravian Academy.
For the first time in school history, the Spartans are heading to the girls soccer state semifinals.
"I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel right now," Hughesville coach Cody Hack said with a laugh. "These girls are just playing their hearts out and it's so fun to be a part of and watch. It's the same thing all year: where's the next opportunity? Keep going until we can't."
Hughesville (14-8-2) never let Moravian Academy (10-8-4) threaten seriously throughout the game. The Lions were held to seven total shots, just four of which were on target. Just like a few days prior against Camp Hill, Hughesville swarmed and overwhelmed Moravian Academy's forwards and midfielders, and never let them get a clean look at the goal.
Of Moravian's four shots on goal, all came from outside of the 18.
"That's been the motto: don't let them think, don't let them find that next pass. Even if they do, go find that one and don't let them find the next one. They did very well," Hack said.
With 14:25 to play until halftime, Hughesville's Bella Remsnyder sent in a corner kick that Jaysa Kiess sent in to the near-right post to give Hughesville a 2-0 lead which stood until halftime.
"I feel always getting one early seems to help us calm the nerves a little bit," Hughesville's Giada Good said. "Once we put more in, it really helps us even more."
A 2-0 lead is considered a dangerous one in soccer, as one goal from the opposition can swing momentum. But the Spartans never let Moravian Academy get that chance. With 22:27 to play in the second half, the Spartans put in a dagger.
That's when Good rifled a shot from 25 yards out that was perfectly placed near the right post for a 3-0 lead which all but took the wind out of Moravian's sails.
"It's something we worked a lot in practice and warm-ups is really finding the corners and the shot and being able to execute. Especially in an important game like this is really nice," Good said. "I feel like it also helped settle us down and realize it's OK, we got this and like we really have a chance here."
For Hack, he was happy to see Good score from outside the 18 on a long shot.
"That was a rip. That was something we've been talking about all year. She plays in that defensive center mid and kind of holds back a little bit. She has one of the best finishes on the squad. From a power standpoint, but also from a placement standpoint. Her getting free, she never likes to hit those usually," Hack said. "But I told her at halftime 'hey, you have the wind at your back, if you get free around the 35 rip one.' What's the worst that can happen? It goes for a goal kick. I looked at the team there and I said that may be the goal of the year for us at the banquet there at the end. So that was awesome."
Moravian Academy's best chance to put in a goal came with 3:41 until halftime when the Lions got the ball outside the 18 and rifled a great high shot, trying to slip it just underneath the crossbar. But Hughesville keeper Kalia Hack got her hands high and managed to make a fantastic save to keep it a 2-0 Hughesville lead and not let the Lions get some momentum right before halftime.
"I've been having trouble with those saves all season going over my head," Kalia Hack said. "I've been wanting to make some real cool upper-90 saves and I knew that was my opportunity to have it and go for it and just keep it out."
"That was a hell of a save. She'll tell you midseason, even beginning of season, she was making those sophomore mistakes, but she's really come into her own, understanding that position," Cody Hack said. "I think the best part is the defensive line understands what she needs as well from that spot. She's playing very well in the back of the net. Her punts, they were going like 60 yards today. That's fantastic."
Moravian Academy had two last-ditch chances in the final four minutes of play.
With 3:50 to play, Moravian Academy's Jenna Moser had a direct kick 20 yards out that she tried firing to the left post, but it went just wide off the mark. Thirty seconds later, Sarah Pulcini got a chance from 18 yards out, only to see Hack come up with a low stop to keep it a three-goal lead.
Good nearly recorded a second goal with 5:59 to play in the game, but her shot on a direct kick from 30 yards out -- not too far from her first goal distance -- was sent right at keeper Moore, who grabbed it and didn't let it get past her.
In the first 11 minutes of the game, Hughesville's Sierra Dewire took a shot from just outside of the 6-yard, but it went out of bounds. Dewire did end the game with an assist however on the first goal of the game that Temple put in.
The Spartans almost made it a 3-0 lead right before halftime. With just under two minutes showing on the scoreboard, the Spartans' Addi Shivrinski rifled a shot hard that Moore blocked, but the ball stayed in play and rolled towards the front of the 6-yard box. With Moore on the ground, it would have been an easy follow-up shot, but no one was near to tap it in before Moore could get to it.
The Spartans are beyond glad to be heading to the state semifinals, something no other Hughesville soccer team has ever done.
"I mean, it's great. It's something we always wanted to do all throughout and it's great to be the first team to ever do it," Good said.
Hughesville 3, Moravian Academy 0
(PIAA CLASS A QUARTERFINALS)
H--Kat Temple (Sierra Dewire), 17:05. H--Jaysa Kiess (Bella Remsnyder corner), 14:25. H--Giada Good, 22:27.
Shots: H 8, MA 4. Corners: H 7, MA 3. Saves: H 4 (Kalia Hack), MA 3 (Laurenstine Moore).
Records: Hughesville (14-8-2), Moravian Academy (10-8-4).