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Central Dauphin 4, Chambersburg 1
Of note: The Rams got 3 goals from Eric McGinnis -- 2 on direct kicks -- and another from Kevin Verbitsky ... The Trojans made it 3-1 on Andrew Collier's goal, assisted by Tyler Young.
Records: Chambersburg (9-6-1, 5-5-1 MPC) plays at Red Land on Saturday, 10 a.m. ... Central Dauphin is 11-3, 10-0 MPC.
By ED GOTWALS
Sports editor
Chambersburg boys soccer coach Mike Dent thought it was going to be a special night for his team.
Instead, Thursday night's dreary Mid Penn Commonwealth Division game against Central Dauphin at Trojan Stadium turned into a showcase for the right leg of Rams forward Eric McGinnis, who powered in three goals in CD's 4-1 victory.
"I thought we had a special evening set up," Dent said. "We have a lot of seniors who could be playing their last game in this stadium, and we were playing a side unbeaten in our division that I think we're capable of beating with a great effort. And with the conditions the way they were (cold and raining), I thought we'd do something neat."
In the early going, Chambersburg did play well, using short passes to get upfield. The Trojans got off the first three shots of the game, causing Ram goalkeeper Jon Lutz to make one save, and had other chances wasted.
Dent said, "AC (Andrew Collier) had a classic opportunity early and he usually gets those."
Instead, CD's first shot produced a goal. A Chambersburg defender committed a foul 30 yards out.
"I think that first goal took the wind out of their sails," Rams coach Gregg Davis said.
Chambersburg held it together the rest of the half, but wasn't able to generate the attacking pressure it had before.
Just 39 seconds into the second half, McGinnis struck again. He received a pass from Lukas Gross on the left side and had plenty of time to settle the ball, look up and then rip a shot just inside the far post that skipped past Porter.
The Rams made it 3-0 when Porter batted a cross from Austin Shott into the middle of the penalty area that Kevin Verbitsky collected, then kicked into the back of the net.
Chambersburg got on the board with 17:32 left. Tyler Young carried a ball down the right flank and took a shot that Lutz stopped, but couldn't smother. Collier got to the ball first and flipped a shot that got into the net.
McGinnis finished it off with his third goal, again on a direct kick, from 19 yards out after he was tripped.
Davis said, "We had three starters out sick and only had five subs, so I'm proud of these kids. In high school sports, momentum is so critical and we don't want to lose that before the playoffs start.
"We'd like to finish unbeaten in the division, so that's incentive, too. I think this is such a good league. Chambersburg is a dangerous team and they always play us tough down here. I think maybe they're just lacking some confidence right now."
The Trojans are 1-4-1 in their last five games, losing ground in the District 3 power ratings.
Dent said, "Based on the recent results, you can see we don't have confidence, so we need to get it back. We're not going to give up."
Chambersburg has lost three of its four keepers, leaving Porter the only one left. So Dent asked Jordan Riley, a basketball and baseball starter, to help out. Riley played the final 23 minutes and made a couple of plays.
"We have one keeper ineligible and two injured, so I contacted Jordan," Dent said. "He had played soccer at Faust, although he was a defender. He only practiced with us once, but he's an athlete who expects to play well. He just needs to learn the technical side."
Notes: Trojan keepers did not register a save -- CD took just six shots, scoring on four and missing the cage on the other two ... Chambersburg led in corner kicks, 7-2.
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Ed Gotwals can be reached at 262-4755 or egotwals@publicopinionnews.com.
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Central Dauphin 4, Chambersburg 1
Central Dauphin 1 3 -- 4
Chambersburg 0 1 -- 1
Central Dauphin scoring: G -- Eric McGinnis (27:16, 40:39, 77:33), Kevin Verbitsky (51:04). A -- Lukas Gross (40:39), Austin Shott (51:04).
Chambersburg scoring: G -- Andrew Collier (68:28). A -- Tyler Young (68:28).
Shots -- CD 6; Chbg 7. Shots on goal -- CD 4; Chbg 4. Corner kicks -- CD 2; Chbg 7. Saves -- CD 3 (Jon Lutz); Chbg 0 (Justin Porter, Jordan Riley). Fouls -- CD 4; Chbg 8. Offsides -- CD 0; Chbg 4. Yellow cards -- CD 1. Red cards -- Chbg 1.
JV: Chambersburg 3, Central Dauphin 1. Scoring goals for the Trojans (14-2) were Robert Furfaro (2) and Ryun Holder, while Furfaro and Danny Stouffer had assists.
