Font ResizeFrom staff reports
BEDFORD -- In the District 5 Class A girls soccer semifinal match against Conemaugh Township on Wednesday night, McConnellsburg played like champions, though it wasn't reflected in the final score.
After allowing the game's first goal with about a minute remaining in the first half, the Lady Spartans never let up but couldn't muster enough scoring to take a lead and lost, 3-1.
"Our girls played with a lot of heart tonight," McConnellsburg coach Toby McGarvey said. "Every single player gave everything they had. I'm really proud of the way the team performed tonight."
The Indians' first goal came off a strong shot, but also a little luck.
Conemaugh's Megan Boyer took a laser of a shot from the top of the box which Spartan goalkeeper Sarrah Pollock (14 saves) turned aside. Pollock could only deflect the ball, however, and the ball bounced back to Boyer's feet. She buried the ball with her second shot.
"It was a heck of a shot," McGarvey said. "Sarrah made a heckuva save but it was too hot to handle."
After another Conemaugh goal, Nikki Fleming notched McConnellsburg's only goal on a direct kick, which zoomed past the opposing keeper's head.
The Spartans, who finished 15-6, were outshot 19-13, with 11 of their shots coming on goal.
Though the girls fell short of a championship, McGarvey was pleased with their performance all season and believes the team is headed in the right direction.
"We've had an exciting
Conemaugh Township 3
McConnellsburg 1
McConnellsburg 0 1 -- 1
Conemaugh Twp. 1 2 -- 3
McConnellsburg scoring: G -- Nikki Fleming 25 yard direct kick.
Conemaugh Twp. scoring: G -- Megan Boyer, Kate Thomas, N/A.
Shots -- McC 13; CT 19. Corner kicks -- McC 3; CT 5. Saves -- McC 14 (Sarrah Pollock); CT 10 (Jenna Telenko).
Next game: Season is over.
