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The same … but different: Lady Tigers soccer advances to finals with shutout over Tyrone

District 6 girls soccer

By Nate Ritchey 3 min read

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- The Hollidaysburg and Tyrone girls soccer teams met during the last regular season match for both teams a week ago.

The two teams battled to a 2-2 tie after two overtime periods.

Flash forward to Thursday night at Tiger Stadium where the Lady Tigers seized control early and never let up in earning a 2-0 victory over the Lady Golden Eagles in District 6 Class 3A semifinal action.

"Last week, we just did not play with the same effort and heart that we did tonight," Hollidaysburg coach Tristan delGuidice said. "We came out right out of the gate and played hard, fast and physical. We never really felt like we gave Tyrone any space to do anything."

Top-seeded Hollidaysburg controlled the match in the first half by possessing the ball in its attack end for the majority of the 40 minutes.

The Lady Tigers ripped off 13 shots, 10 of which landed on goal, and it was kick by Bailey Stoehr at 25:06 that was the only one to find the back of the net.

Hollidaysburg won the ball away from fourth-seeded Tyrone around 30 yards out, where Kate Steiner claimed the ball, found Stoehr standing on the penalty box line.

Stoehr received, settled, turned to her right, took one dribble to free herself and lifted a ball that sailed middle of the goal on the left side to put the Tigers out in front.

Despite being limited in its chance and giving up a plethora to Hollidaysburg, Tyrone entered the half very much in the game from the standpoint of only being down the one goal.

"We knew that we were still in this game," Tyrone coach Lance Robinson said. "We played them hard the last time we played them. ... If we would have just played a little bit harder and taken advantage of the few opportunities that were given the second half, it would have been a totally different story."

Hollidaysburg got an insurance goal less than seven minutes into the second half when Steiner threw the ball in short, received it back quickly and sent it across the box.

The Lady Tigers' Lily Chestney stuck a leg out to try and get something on the ball but it got by to Bella Creamer who settled before firing a shot into the right side of the goal.

"That goal was huge because one breakaway, one missed play and it's a tie game," delGuidice said. "Getting that second goal really put everybody at ease in that half."

Tyrone's best chance came halfway through the second half when Kadence Berry took a through ball in stride behind the defense, had nothing but Tigers' goalkeeper Ellie Jadlocki in front of her. However, Hollidaysburg defender Jillian Buffone was able to chase her down just outside the penalty box and poke the ball away.

"I saw No. 2 (Berry) get behind the defense and I was never worried because Jillian ... is probably one of the smartest, toughest defenders I have ever coached."

Hollidaysburg will take on Bellefonte next Tuesday for the championship. In theo ther semifinal game on Thursday, Bellefonte defeated Somerset, 3-0.

SCORE BY HALVES

Tyrone 0 0 — 0

Hollidaysburg 1 1 — 2

First half: H--Stoehr (Steiner), 25:06.

Second half: H--Creamer (Steiner), 33:23

Goalies: Tyrone -- Sparklin: 12 saves, 14 shots on goal; Hollidaysburg -- Jadlocki: 2 saves, 2 shots on goal.

Shots: Tyrone 3, Hollidaysburg 24.

Corner kicks: Tyrone 0, Hollidaysburg 7.

Records: Tyrone (5-11-3); Hollidaysburg (13-5-1).

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