Breaking News
Local Sports

Hughesville girls made history by winning first-ever state playoff game

By Jon Gerardi 4 min read

CAMP HILL -- After the horn went off at Seibert Park in Camp Hill, Hughesville's players swarmed and celebrated with one another. And, shortly after running towards the fans and acknowledging the large Spartan fanbase that traveled to Camp Hill, the Spartans ran back towards their coaches.

That’s where they gathered together on the turf and posed for a photo with one other, making their hands and fingers show a W to represent the win.

It wasn't just any win, it was an historic one for Hughesville.

Since 1993, Hughesville's girls soccer program had a number of outstanding players and teams. There's been plenty of all-state selections, plenty of all-star players, great defensive standouts and offensive scoring threats. There have been seasons with 17 wins and league titles over the years.

But from 1993 through last fall, the Spartans never were able to secure a playoff victory in the state tournament.

That changed on a chilly Tuesday night in Camp Hill when Hughesville beat the District 3 champions, 4-1, to claim the program's first-ever state win.

To say the Spartans were happy would be an understatement.

"We've been waiting for this for 30 years at least. A couple of these girls that were on the team two years ago obviously got some state playoff appearance, ran into the buzzsaw that is Northwestern Lehigh. For them to get back here No. 1 was absolutely impressive with the regular season we have," Hughesville coach Cody Hack said. "They are over the moon right now. I told them enjoy it, but guess what? As soon as we get off the bus back home, that's where it's gotta stay and we're onto the next one."

No doubt Hughesville's players celebrated the whole 90-plus minute ride back to Hughesville on Tuesday night from Camp Hill after the win.

Hughesville didn't get the chance to make history two years ago when they had a brutal two-game final two games against No. 2 state-ranked Central Columbia and No.1. state-ranked Northwestern Lehigh that year, losing both contests. This year, they finally got that win and etched their names into the Hughesville record books regardless of what happens Saturday in the PIAA Class A quarterfinals.

"I was in this position my freshman year, ended up losing a game and didn't make history," Hughesville's Tori Morgan said. The way most of this team is in that spot, they just wanted to win it back and they knew we had this game."

Morgan had two goals in Tuesday's win against Camp Hill which put the Spartans ahead 3-1 and 4-1.

The win means a lot for all 22 players that don a green and white Hughesville uniform. But for seniors Kat Temple, Kendall Hamm, Hailey Stevens and Sierra DeWire, it's perhaps just a little more special knowing they go out with a huge milestone for their final year as a Spartan.

"It means a lot, especially my senior year," Hughesville's Kat Temple said. "I know all the seniors on this team, this was our point in the year where we were set on this and we're hoping to keep going as long as we can."

Temple scored the first two Hughesville goals, which gave Hughesville a 1-0 lead late in the first half and then the lead again, 2-1, with 8:39 to play in regulation after Camp Hill tied it nine minutes into the second half. Morgan would come up with a pair of goals in the final six minutes to seal the win for Hughesville and put the nail in the coffin so to speak of the game.

"We're really happy. We're hoping to go as long as we can," Temple said.

The Spartans are now in uncharted waters, playing in the state quarterfinals for the first time in program history, and needless to say Hughesville wants to keep making history.

Starting at /week.