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Wildcats silence East Juniata

COCOLAMUS — Tough defense and great teamwork and communication led the way in Greenwood’s 4-0 victory over East Juniata in a Tri-Valley League boys soccer game Thursday.

“It’s exciting, good momentum I’m excited for the boys and the ladies to get a win here tonight,” Wildcats coach Aaron Anstine said. “This is one I’ve had on my calendar and it was at Sept. 5 and we had to play them for Sept. 28, so it was one we all had on our calendars and it was one we knew we could win. They’ve gotten better since the beginning of the year and so have we.”

The Wildcats came out swinging right from the first whistle. Luke Myers made the pass to Tyus Yeingst who proceeded to send the ball right into the back of the net just six minutes into the game.

Greenwood kept the offense going as four minutes later Yeingst and Bryce Deaven found Mason Kauffman, who then extended the lead to 2-0.

Then with 25:39 left in the frame Myers got his second assist, this time finding Ike Bryner to make it 3-0 Wildcats.

“That was as good of a half as we’ve played all year. We came with high pressure right away and with high energy,” Anstine said. “Our kids were focused for a month — with this one being postponed they’ve talk about it. All of them our important but they probably have a little more on this one than any game.”

The Tigers continued to battle for the remainder of the half but were held scoreless. In fact, the Greenwood defense did not allow a single shot on goal in the first half.

“First 20, 25 minutes cost us — we didn’t come out with the intensity to match to their speed,” Tigers coach Brian Watts said. “That’s a very skilled, very fast team and they can handle the ball at that pace and we weren’t ready for that.

“Now the last 10, 15 minutes of the first half and most of the second half we match them up much better,” Watts continued. “But … that slow start cost us. Their speed was something else.”

It turned into a defensive showdown for most of the second half. The Wildcats continued to show good ball movement and communication moving the ball down the field, but this time the Tigers were ready for it.

“Yeah definitely they came out like I said with that fire in their belly and they were ready to go hard and they did go hard,” Watts said. “They didn’t quit ’til the very end, they didn’t quit at all. We got plenty of things to work on but definitely pleased with their effort.”

Jordan Barner found Glenn Rice who flew past the Tigers defense and blasted one in to complete the 4-0 shutout.

The Tigers again had a tough time getting a shot off being held to just one shot by the Wildcat defense.

“We couldn’t get dangerous and the one time they had nine guys in the box and I’m like, really,” Watts laughed. “They collapse all the time, their wings are all dropping. A very intense defense, even when we got in there it was like going through the forest so it was very difficult.”

The Tigers took the JV game 1-0.

Greenwood (9-2, 6-1) hosts Upper Dauphin and East Juniata (4-5-1, 3-2-1) hosts Boiling Springs, both on Saturday.

Greenwood 4, East Juniata 0

First half

G–Tyus Yeingst (Luke Myers), 34:15; G–Mason Kauffman (Yeingst, Bryce Deaven), 30:15; G–Ike Bryner (Myers), 25:39.

Second half

G–Glenn Rice (Jordan Barner), 3:47.

Shots: G 7-1. Corners: G 3-2. Saves: EJ-3 (Mikey Ryan), G-1 (Bryce Dalpiaz)

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