Sentinel file photo
Midd-West’s Nick Eppley (left), battles for possession during the opening round of the PIAA Class 2A boys soccer playoffs. Eppley was named a first-team PHAC All-Star and earned All-State honors.

MIDDLEBURG — The Midd-West High School boys soccer team rolled through District 4 and the state bracket, leaving a trail of teams in their wake on a run that resulted in the state semifinal performance.

The Mustangs (21-3) were well decorated in All-Star awards, as seven different players were named to Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference teams this season.

Nick Eppley leads Midd-West as a first team selection. The senior midfielder played in 24 games this season and led the Mustangs in goals scored with 30 averaging 1.3 goals a game. Eppley also had 15 assists for the year, for 75 points. Eppley was also named to the All-State team.

“He’s very skilled and is a knowledgeable player with tremendous work ethic,” Mustangs’ coach Mark Ferster said. “Would be a definite benefit to have as a player on any team. Also received All-State and All-Fall East Region honors.”

The second Mustang to be named to the first team in Division

I was junior defensemen Easton Erb. Erb was a key factor defensively for the Mustangs who also contributed on offense as well. In the 24 games he played, he scored five goals and had three assists for 13 points.

“His soccer knowledge is second to none. He sees the whole field when he plays and really can put a ball anywhere he would like to when he serves it from a set piece,” Ferster said.

Kyle Ferster is the first of the three players to be named to the second team in Divison I. The junior forward played in 24 games and had six goals and six assists for 18 points.

“He’s a work horse who played up top always trying to set up his teammates,” Ferster said. “Constantly putting pressure on the opposing defense.”

Next on the list for second team selections was junior defender Isaac Knepp. Knepp played a key role in manning the Mustangs’ backline, that allowed one or fewer goals in 17 of the team’s 24 games. Knepp also contributed to 11 shutouts.

“Possibly one of the most underrated defenders because of his size and one of the best one-on-one marking backs in the district,” Ferster said.

The third selection to the second team was goalkeeper Cole Keister. As a sophomore, Keister saved a total of 66 shots through 24 games had a save percentage of 0.783. Keister also collected 11 shutouts on the season.

“He played extremely well when called upon and was able to make some saves this season that no one thought he could make,” Ferster said. “He gained confidence as the season progressed.”

Senior midfielder Nolan Stahl was named to third team. In 24 games played, Stahl scored nine goals and had two assists for 20 points.

“He is underrated for sure as he has a nonstop engine and was able to play whatever position he was asked with complete understanding,” Ferster said. “His love for the game was so noticeable when he played.”

The final selection to the PHAC All-Stars for the Midd-West boys soccer team is Nate Hartman who was given an honorable mention. Hartman scored nine goals in 24 games played and also had five assists for 25 points.

“He grew a tremendous amount from junior to senior year both physically and mentally,” Ferster said. “Played a big role in the sucess of our midfield despite breaking his wrist early into our season.”

On the flip side, the Midd-West girls went 9-9-1 overall and made an appearance in the District 4 playoffs. The Mustangs nabbed themselves six selections to the PHAC All-Stars. Two of them were named to the first team, two more in the second team and two in the honorable mentions.

The first was senior Lily Shutt, the midfielder was named to the first team. Shutt played in 19 games overall and was tied for second among the team’s goals scored, along with teammate Becca Yount with 10 goals. Shutt was a big contributor in getting her teammates involved with a team-leading 13 assists for a total of 33 points.

“She is a senior captain, she’s the glue that holds us together. She leads the team in assists. She has a great outside shot and is very dangerous with her serves on corner kicks,” Mustangs coach Chris Sauer said. “She is a great leader and will do anything she has to make our team successful.”

The second player to be named to the first team was Rachel Keister. The sophomore forward led the Mustangs in goals scored with 14 goals in 19 games. Keister also had five assists and tied with Shutt in total points with 33.

“Our leading scorer and most dangerous threat. 8 of her goals were game-winning goals, with three of them in overtime,” Sauer said. “She is a player that makes big plays in big moments for us.”

Emma Martin was selected to the second team for Midd-West. Martin scored two goals in 19 games played for a total of four points.

“Hands down our best and toughest one-on-one defender,” Sauer said. “Usually the smallest girl on the field but plays like a giant. Tough tackler, really good in the air for her size, and reads the game well defensively.”

Chloe Sauer was next selection to the second team. The junior midfielder had four assists for four points.

“A very important part to our midfield in the categories that aren’t put into any scorebook,” Sauer said. “Her size and ability to win headers and tackles in the middle of the field are super important for our success as a team. Probably one of our best players at connecting passes going forward.”

The Mustangs also had two honorable mentions, the first being goalkeeper Rylee Weaver. The junior played in all 19 games for Midd-West and had 165 saves and had a save percentage of 80 percent.

“165 saves and she saved 4 of 6 PKs against her. She has the ability to make saves that a lot of other keepers can’t with her athleticism,” Sauer said. “She has come up with big saves for us on numerous occasions throughout the season.”

Yount was also given an honorable mention. The senior had 10 goals and five assists for 25 points.

“She spent time as our target and outside as a winger. She has a tireless work rate and never gives up,” Sauer said. “She’s very aggressive to the ball and can be a handful for opposing defenders. She just has a knack for putting herself in good positions to score.”