KINGSTON — It wasn’t so much West Chester Henderson’s defense that caused problems for Wyoming Valley West in the first half Tuesday night.
It was Henderson’s relentless offense which prevented the Spartans from generating any offense of their own.
Once Valley West solved the issue in the second half it scored a tying goal, but Henderson responded with the game-winner with just under five minutes remaining for a 2-1 victory in a PIAA Class 4A boys soccer first round game.
Shane Stettler scored the tying goal with 18:25 remaining, but the District 2 champion Spartans saw their season end at 13-6.
District 1 third seed Henderson (20-3-1) came into its district tournament the first seed, but a semifinal loss sent the Warriors on a long road trip for their state opener.
Right off the bat, Henderson showed strong offensive skills with Jake Brogan serving as the catalyst.
“We came in and said keep them off the scoreboard as long as possible,” Valley West coach Gerry Kashuda said. “Keep ourselves in it just like in the district championship game. Defense wins championships, defensive is going to help you advance. We gave them everything we could.”
Henderson finally broke through in unique fashion. Keeper Dylan Arrison came way out of the goal to take a restart about 5 yards on the defensive side of midfield. He sent a long pass inside where Nate Lee scored 10:49 into the game.
The Warriors nearly scored again about seven minutes later when Nicky Dattilo headed a ball at the goal, only for Valley West’s Noah Geisinger to clear it.
Henderson had an 8-1 shot advantage and 5-0 corner kick advantage at halftime.
The Spartans, though, balanced out the offense to start the second half. Noah Fetko fired high on Valley West’s first shot in the opening minutes, but it enlivened the attack.
Valley West tied the score midway through the second half. Maks Iracki grounded a perfect lead pass to Stettler making a run though the penalty area. Stettler’s goal knotted the game with 18:25 left.
“They are very dangerous on the counter,” Henderson coach Chas Wilson said. “They have some very good athletes at the top. I told the guys let’s play safe, but (against) a team with speed, one mistake and they can punish you — and they did.”
Jack Overton scored the game-winner for Henderson with 4:52 remaining. He scored after Valley West keeper Grayson Ader knocked away a throw-in by Brogan.
Henderson moves to the quarterfinals on Saturday when it will play District 11 runner-up Emmaus (20-2-3).
PIAA Class 4A First Round
W.C. Henderson 2, Wyo. Valley West 1
W.C. Henderson`1`1 — 2
Wyo. Valley West`0`1 — 1
First Half: 1. WCH, Nate Lee (Dylan Arrison) 10:49; Second Half: WVW, Shane Stettler (Maks Iracki) 61:35; 3. WCH, Jack Overton 75:08.
Shots: WCH 15, WVW 5. Saves: WCH 1 (Dylan Arrison), WVW 9 (Grayson Ader). Corners: WCH 7, WVW 1.
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