Midd-West gallups past EJ
COCOLAMUS — On Thursday, it was a night where the East Juniata boys soccer team looked to make wins in consecutive nights while their opponents, the Midd-West Mustangs, were looking to keep their undefeated streak alive.
The Mustangs had its high-tempo offense working early and often against the Tigers.
In the end, the Mustangs were just a little too much for the Tigers on this night, winning 7-0 in the non-league matchup.
“We take every game as though we have to step out from the start. Obviously, a different surface that we’re used to playing on. So we adjusted and the tenacity was there,” said Midd-West coach Mark Ferster. “I was a little worried at first. In our warmups we looked a little sluggish but we stepped out in the first half and looked like we were ready to play. We continued to flow with it in the second half.”
From the second possession, the Mustangs pushed their way into the East Juniata back-third, posting their first shot of the game that went wide to start the game off.
Midd-West worked the ball to its outside wing players, working the ball from outside in.
Defensively, Midd-West controlled the passing lanes, leading to East Juniata pinching the ball inside.
With the clock reading 31:32, Alex Trojan finished the first point off via a header into the goal off an assist by Evan Devine, 31:32.
Midd-West continued to put pressure in the box and picked up its next goal less than 10 minutes later. Trojan again got the call as he blasted an unassisted at 23:02, upping it to a two-goal advantage.
For goal No. 3, William Stover hit a long sizzling shot that hit the back of the goal at 17:33.
Minutes later Stover blasted his second score, this time it was a little closer but with the same results.
As the clock would wind down in the opening stanza, the Mustangs once again were able to push the ball past the Tigers and onto the scoreboard on a Devine shot in the middle at 11:08.
Rounding out the first-half scoring, Midd-West scored on a late corner kick that found Brandon Ferster, wide open and into the net, giving the visitors a 7-0 lead going into the intermission.
Coming out of the half, East Juniata refused to go down without a fight and hung with the Mustangs step-for-step.
“It was a tough first half. But in the second half we played a lot better in terms of the scoring,” said East Juniata head coach Tyler Inch. “It was definitely not perfect. There are many things we can improve on. We keep saying that we have to keep going. We have to get better, better and better and that’s what we are going to try to do tomorrow and for the rest of the season.”
Unfortunately, the offense was still held in check while its defense continued to battle.
Midd-West picked up its final goal of the game at 17:06 when Nathan Straub hit a shot to end the scoring at 7-0.
East Juniata goalies Kelton Bonnell and teammate Anthony Hepner combined for 14 saves.
With the win, the Mustangs improved to a perfect 3-0 on the young season.
Next, the Mustangs host a tournament on Saturday with Benton, Danville and Central Columbia set to attend.
The Tigers visit Millersburg Monday at 6:15 p.m. (varsity only).
Midd-West 7, East Juniata 0
Midd-West 6-1-7
East Juniata 0-0-0
First half
MW – Alex Trojan, assisted by Evan Devine, 31:32.
MW – Alex Trojan unassisted, 23:02.
MW – William Stover unassisted, 17:33.
MW – Stover unassisted, 14:30.
MW – Devine unassisted, 11:08.
MW – Brandon Ferster, unassisted, 2:00.
Second half
MW – Nathan Straub unassisted, 17:06.
Shots on goal: MW 28-6.
Corners: MW 8-3.
Saves: MW (Derek Wert) 0, EJ (Kelton Bonnell) 10, (Anthony Hepner) 4.