Black works his ‘magic’ in Altoona’s win
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By John Hartsock
jhartsock@altoonamirror.com
Altoona High School senior holding midfielder Kade Black is a unique soccer talent.
He's a Division I college prospect, and a difference-maker for the Mountain Lions who has the capability to score at any time in a game.
Black escaped a couple Hollidaysburg defenders on the Mansion Park turf Thursday night and broke free to score the only goal of the game at the 6:41 mark of the second half, leading the Mountain Lions to a 1-0 victory over the Golden Tigers in a matchup of archrivals.
Black's speed enabled him to get into the clear and boot a kick into the lower right-hand corner of the cage to give Altoona the victory and snap Hollidaysburg's 11-game winning streak.
Both teams are now 12-4.
"We got the upper hand there, and we found our way through,'' Black said of his unassisted goal. "After so many times, you almost know when it is going to click and you can finish the opportunity.''
Black has shown that ability all through his high school career, according to Altoona coach Dave McCarter.
"He dribbled that ball for 40 yards down the field,'' McCarter said. "He does that a lot. He pretty much put our team on his back and took over the game tonight.
"He's a special talent and a great leader,'' McCarter added. "He's our point man in the midfield. He's a great student athlete who is being looked at by a lot of Division I schools and is probably going to get some Division I offers.''
Altoona swept the season series two games to none from Hollidaysburg, and the Mountain Lions' 3-1 victory over the Golden Tigers at Tiger Stadium back on Sept. 6 was the last time that Hollidaysburg lost a game before reeling off 11 straight wins.
Even so, Hollidaysburg coach Craig Shale could easily find a silver lining for his team in Thursday's loss.
"I'm proud of our team, I thought we played real well tonight,'' Shale said. "We kept Kade Black under wraps for most of the game, but he got one breakaway and pulled off his magic. He just got free, and he's hard to stop when he's running at you.
"This was a good advertisement for local soccer -- two of the best teams in the area going at it,'' Shale said. "It was a game that was as close as it could be. We haven't had a tough game since we played (Altoona) 11 games ago, and this game tonight against a good quality team will get us ready for the playoffs.''
Altoona sophomore keeper Luke Mitchell stopped all 12 Hollidaysburg shots on goal, including a diving effort on freshman Luca Waibel's close-in chance with just over eight minutes left in the game.
"I thought their keeper played a very good game,'' Shale said.
So did Hollidaysburg junior keeper Derek Wright, who allowed only Black's goal and made several outstanding saves on other Altoona shots to keep the game close.
"This was a good character win against a rival opponent,'' said McCarter, whose Mountain Lions have now won seven of their last eight games. "They beat us twice last year, so it's nice to get both games against them this year.''
Game notes: Altoona won the junior varsity game, 4-0, behind two goals from Ahmed Suliman ... The Mountain Lions host State College at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Hollidaysburg hosts Penns Valley next Tuesday night.
SCORE BY HALVES
Hollidaysburg 0 0--0
Altoona 0 1--1
Second Half: 1, A--K. Black (unassisted), 6:41.
Records: Hollidaysburg (12-4); Altoona (12-4).
Shots on goal: Hollidaysburg 12, Altoona 9.
Saves: Wright, H, 8; Mitchell, A, 12.