Bermudian Springs wins district opener in shootout

A noisy, boisterous energy filled the majority of Monday's District 3 first round game, though no goals were scored.

A hush fell over the crowd Monday night at Alumni Field in York Springs.

The fates of the Bermudian Springs Eagles and Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers seasons were being decided in a penalty kick shootout.

"Your heart goes out to all 10 players who came out on both squads," Bermudian Springs head coach James Zerfing said. "PKs come out to 1 or 2 seconds that you live with for the rest of your life."

After battling to a scoreless tie, Bermudian Springs defeated the Pioneers 3-1 in penalty kicks and will live on to fight another day.

Lampeter-Strasburg, the 12-seed in the district, outshot the fifth-seeded Eagles 13-2 during the game and had the majority of possession throughout. The Pioneers came in averaging right around a goal a game on the season.

"We knew (Lampeter-Strasburg) didn't score a lot but they also didn't give up a lot of goals," Zerfing said.

"They're from across the (Susquehanna) River and my guess is the quality of their league has more parity top to bottom, not allowing for a lot of five- and six-goal wins."

Five minutes into the game, the Pioneers took over, and had the run of play for the rest of the way.

Daniel Alvarez made a remarkable save 27:35 into the game when the sprung high and to his left to parry Peyton Denlinger's 15-yard free kick.

Midway through the second quarter, Alex Knarr fired a shot in the box that skipped up to the chest of a Bermudian defender, who cleared the ball.

"Our back four is solid and they've played great all year. I have to give props to them," Alvarez said.

Bermudian's best chance came 62:10 into the game.

Samuel Johnson knocked down a clear at the 36, crossed up the first defender at the 22, and ran past the last defender at the 10 before firing a pass across that David Gutierrez toed wide.

Johnson started the penalty shootout by scoring high and to the right of the goalie.

Alvarez was called twice for leaving his line early in the shootout, but both second attempts by the shooters failed.

Jacob Halfman's hesitation shot low and to the left put the Eagles up 3-1, and Alvarez closed the door with a diving one-hand save to the left-middle height of the net.

"There's not pressure on me in a shootout, I just try to go out and make the save," Alvarez said.

Bermudian Springs advances to Thursday's quarterfinal against Susquehannock. It will be played at 7:30 p.m. at Spring Grove's Papermakers Stadium.

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Bermudian Springs advances on penalty kicks, 3-1

Penalty kicks — BeS 3 (Samuel Johnson G, Johnny King NG, Christopher Felipe G, Jacob Halfman G). LS 1 (Matt O'Neil NG, Colin Anderson G, Alex Knarr NG, Nathan Erb NG)

Shots — LS 13, BeS 2

Corners — LS 11, BeS 2

Goalies — LS, Jake Klecko (2 saves). BeS, Daniel Alvarez (13 saves).