A big second half lifted Oley Valley over Brandywine Heights on Tuesday night at Mertztown.
The Lynx scored three unanswered goals in the final 25 minutes on their way to a 4-1 victory over the Bullets in a Berks Boys Soccer League Division III-IV matchup. In a physical affair played in a light rain, the two sides combined for 14 fouls.
Oley Valley (6-3-1 Berks III, 9-4-1) pressured Brandywine Heights (7-2 Berks IV, 9-5) from the start, peppering the Bullets. The Lynx finally broke through midway through the second half when Nate Fatkin gave them a 1-0 lead.
“Offensively, we were executing well,” Oley Valley coach Shawn Meals said about his team’s play in the first half. “The problem [was], we weren’t clinical enough in front of the net.”
The defending Berks champion Lynx controlled the pace for the majority of the first 40 minutes, with methodical attacks in the middle of the field and quick runs up the outside areas. They pressured Brandywine, but the Bullets were able to string together a few counter attacks.
Division-leading Brandywine responded early in the second half, as Jayden Kantner’s shot went off the left post and into the net. Dante Blankenbiller was credited with the assist.
“[In the] second half we came out flat,” Meals said. “Honestly, it almost cost us.”
The Bullets began the second half with an increased pace and much stronger attack. Brandywine moved the ball quickly and created several strong scoring chances, ultimately leading to the goal.
Oley quickly made adjustments and regained the lead just a few minutes later on a goal by Danny Turchi. The Lynx tightened their defense and added insurance goals from Anthony Witt and Chase Reifsnyder.
“We responded well after they tied it up,” Meals said. “We showed character.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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