ROYERSFORD — The second-winningest season in Wyomissing girls soccer history came to an end on Saturday.
The Spartans fell to Allentown Central Catholic 2-1 in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals at Spring-Ford. Wyomissing (23-2) finishes just one win shy of the program record set in 2004.
The Spartans controlled the large majority of the contest, especially in the first half. Wyomissing outshot the Vikings 5-2, and held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
“I thought we had a lot of the better of the play in the first half,” coach Rachel Hoffman said. “It was a little aggressive.”
The Spartans were strong early in the matchup, pressuring Allentown Central Catholic. However, the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
“We came out ready to play today,” senior Hannah Hurleman said. “We were rolling, we just couldn’t finish (in) the first half.”
Wyomissing broke through just under 13 minutes into the second half when junior Cadi Hoke connected with freshman Abigail Noe in the six-yard box on a corner kick. Noe’s shot deflected off the crossbar and off the Vikings goalkeeper before going into the net.
Allentown Central Catholic scored its first goal just under 10 minutes later on a corner kick of its own. Gabriella Powell-Dix was on the receiving end of the kick and scored from close range to make it 1-1.
Less than five minutes later, Josslin Muto took a free kick for the Vikings from 40 yards away. Muto’s booming kick bounced inside the six-yard box, over the head of Spartans goalkeeper Renie Harris and into the net to put Allentown Central Catholic ahead 2-1.
“We tried to stay positive and we tried to keep playing together,” Hurleman said. “At the end of the day, sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.”
Wyomissing tried to find an equalizer in the final 13 minutes of play, but was unable. The Spartans had a corner kick in the game’s final minutes, but it was well defended by the Vikings.
“We did our best,” Hurleman said. “When the clock is ticking down and you’re still down one goal, it’s hard. It’s really hard mentally.”
For Hurleman and fellow seniors Isabel Marshall, Emma Care, Sam Donahue, Jabrea Flowers, Molly Kuhn and Charlotte Lazarchick-Oberti, the loss marks the end of their careers at Wyomissing in which they won the last two District 3 titles, a BCIAA title and made two state playoff appearances.
But beyond all the accolades and medals, it is the bond they formed as teammates — many of them playing together since they were 9 years old — that holds the most value to Hurleman.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to play with any other people,” she said. “These are my best friends. This is my family.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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