Gettysburg tops Red Lion in shootout
The Gettysburg boys’ soccer team took its first step towards repeating as YAIAA tournament champions after they advanced after a shootout against Red Lion in a first-round matchup Saturday.
The game was tied, 1-1, at the end of regulation and two overtime periods. The Warriors (15-2-2) advanced with a 4-2 edge in penalty kicks to advance.
Gettysburg faces Dallastown Tuesday in the tournament semifinals.
For Gettysburg, Drew Wivell, Ryan David, Cade Wilhelm and Logan Carbaugh each scored in the shootout; Ethan Stough and Kade Adomanis scored for Red Lion.
With two 80-minute halves, followed by two 15-minute overtime periods, each team struggled with fatigue, but Gettysburg was ready for the marathon game.
“We, I think, do a good job of building fitness through the season and practice game-like situations and not just running,” Gettysburg co-head coach Ian Hancock said. “I think the level of play dropped a little bit [in overtime], it’s going to no matter what you do, but I think overall the level of play stayed the same because they’re used to working hard in practice and then finishing practice strong when they’re already tired.”
The Warriors trailed at halftime after Red Lion’s Ben Warner scored on a breakaway with just 47 seconds remaining in the half. Warner had scored the lone goal for the Lions in each of their last three games.
With nearly 24 minutes down in the second half, the Warriors looked to be down and out against the Lions, but Wivell was able to find the back of the net to tie the game.
While the pressure built throughout the remainder of the game, Gettysburg was able to stay composed and focus the pressure on Red Lion (12-5-1). The Warriors outshot the Lions, 14-3.
“We try to remind them that most players don’t get this opportunity,” Gettysburg co-head coach Scott Hancock said after the game. “So just embrace the pressure and enjoy it and be happy that you have the opportunity to play in games that matter like this.”