BOYS SOCCER: Chambersburg overcomes deficit for victory over Cedar Cliff

HIGHLAND PARK >> It didn't look so good for Chambersburg's boys soccer team just a few minutes into Thursday night's second half.

The Trojans played Cedar Cliff to a 2-2 tie at halftime of a Mid Penn Commonwealth Division game, but the Colts came out firing and scored a pair of goals in the first four minutes of the latter half.

"My halftime speech obviously didn't work," Chambersburg coach Corey Grove said.

But Rafael Bonilla quickly cut the deficit to one and tied it up 12 minutes later. Then Erik Espinoza played hero, delivering the game winner with 10 minutes to go in regulation, and the Trojans escaped with a 5-4 victory.

"I told them that we needed to get forward more," Grove said. "Rafa putting in those two goals was huge, and really gave us the momentum."

In the 71st minute, Espinoza picked up a pass just outside the 18. He beat a pair of defenders and buried it to the low left-hand corner.

Rene Quintanilla and Eric Dixon also scored for the Trojans (9-2-2, 7-2-2 MPC).

"We scored again on a set piece, so it was good to see what we've been practicing is translating to the field," Grove said. "We recognize how important set pieces can be in these games, especially if they are close. That can set one team from the other."

Chambersburg 5, Cedar Cliff 4

Chambersburg23—5Cedar Cliff22—4

First half — (Ch) Rene Quintanilla, asst. Nathan Maynard, 2nd min., (CC) Haley, asst. Youse, 2nd, (Ch) Eric Dixon, asst. Rafael Bonilla, 8th, (CC) Lopez-Ortiz, asst. Bertam, 21st.

Second half — (CC) Haley, 43rd, (CC) Francis, 44th, (Ch) Bonilla, 45th, (Ch) Bonilla, 57th, (Ch) Erik Espinoza, 71st.

Shots — Chbg 12, CC 7; Corner kicks — Chbg 5, CC 6; Saves — Chbg 3 (Chandler Shurr), CC 5 (Crawford).

JV score — Chambersburg 7, Cedar Cliff 0.