BELLAFONTE — Fresh off its first District 3 Class 3A title since 1995, the Conrad Weiser boys soccer team came into the PIAA 3A playoffs with a determined mindset and the opening matches of the 3A tournament reflected the Scouts’ dominance.
After shutting out its first round and quarterfinal opponents, Conrad Weiser couldn’t find offensive momentum in the semifinal round and the Scouts ultimately fell to Moon Area 1-0 in a PIAA 3A semifinal Tuesday night at Bald Eagle High School.
Conrad Weiser (24-2-1) had not been held scoreless all season and allowed just two goals in the District 3 tournament. For Scouts coach Derek Long, a historic season was complimented by unbreakable bonds that were formed along the way.
“If you’re playing at this point in the year, you know you did something right,” Long said. “And we’re just proud of the way that they fought together and really had a bond that goes above the couple hours of practice and the games.
“They’re a true family that can fight together. We’re proud of the way that they came together every game and connected on a level that was about more than just sports.”
The game’s defining moment came for the District 7 champion Tigers (25-0) with 26 minutes remaining in the game. Playing on a counter attack, Evan Thomas began the build up around midfield by passing to Luiz Silva streaking down the left side of the field.
With defenders in pursuit, Silva passed back to Thomas at the top of the penalty box before the ball was worked back to Silva making a run in at the near post from the left side of goal. Silva then delivered a left-footed shot past senior goalie Tyler Yonavick of the Scouts for the game’s only goal.
“Their coach (Tyler Blake) and I were talking and we were saying that with the way the bracket looked this year, if we would have been up in the east side of the bracket, we could have been playing (each other) the final on Friday,” Long said. “We knew it would be a good game. They were just one goal stronger tonight.”
An evenly contested first half saw both teams play strong defense and allowed few scoring chances. The Tigers had good build up that resulted in several corners, including four during the first twenty minutes of the opening half.
The most promising shot on goal in the first half was from Silva which came in the 32 minute and went over the bar from about 15 yards out.
In the second half, the Scouts earned a corner a minute in as senior Gavin Rapp intercepted a pass deep in Tigers’ territory. His ball into the box was ultimately played out by the defense for the corner before a shot got off.
Trailing 1-0 with less than ten minutes to play, Conrad Weiser had two free kick opportunities from deep and a handful of throw-ins that went into the penalty box but a significant shot on goal was not produced.
Overall, the Scouts outscored their opponents 106-24 on the season heading into the semifinal matchup. Moon finished the game with seven corner kicks and Conrad Weiser had just one. The Tigers had one shot on goal and the Scouts had none.
Despite the loss, Conrad Weiser’s outstanding season as well as the passionate commitment from the senior class has paved the way for a powerhouse program to remain at the height of competition for the foreseeable future.
“Our saying is, ‘culture never graduates,’” Long said. “That holds true. They (the seniors) leave, but they’re still alums and they put forward this mindset for the younger players to see what Conrad Weiser soccer is all about. So they leave a legacy that younger kids will hopefully emulate in the future.”
Source: Berkshire mont