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Yingling brothers carry Gettysburg past Lansdale Catholic, again


It was exactly the kind of birthday gift Adam Yingling was hoping for.

On the day he turned 18, the Gettysburg senior had an opportunity every goal scorer loves: a penalty kick. With the Warriors leading Lansdale Catholic by a goal two minutes into the second half of a first-round PIAA Class AA Boys' Soccer Championship game, Yingling found himself facing off with goalie Jack Kane following a handball.

Yingling would take advantage, knocking the ball past Kane to give Gettysburg a 2-0 advantage that would wind up being the final score as the Warriors beat the Crusaders in the first round of the state tournament for the second straight year.

"I've been taking them all season and haven't missed yet," Yingling said. "It was a little shaky and I kind of hit on top of [the ball. It's a nice little extra gift getting a state win (on my birthday), but I just went into it like I usually would."

The game followed a strangely similar script to last year's playoff showdown between the two teams, with the same final score and with Matt and Adam Yingling providing both goals for the Warriors. This time however, it didn't take until the last three minutes of the game for the brothers to get Gettysburg on the board.

Matt got things going just over 10 minutes into the first half by knocking in a rebound off a shot by Drew Wivell. The junior started the play by firing the first shot of the possession before crashing the net to finish off the goal.

"Matt has a lot of ferocity as a player," head coach Scott Hancock said. "We like that internal anger when it's channeled the right way. That goal was a result of that, he just doesn't stop."

The Warriors completely dominated possession from that point on, outshooting Lansdale Catholic 13-2 and allowing few chances for the Crusaders to jump on.

While the game was played in steady wind and rain throughout, the Warriors said the imperfect conditions made the contest even more enjoyable.

"It's always fun playing in the rain, whether it's downpouring or just sprinkling," Adam Yingling said. "Everyone's playing under it, so even if it's not your favorite weather its fun."

Not only does the win advance the Warriors in the state tournament, it also was a bounce-back performance following their first loss of the season, a disappointing 2-1 decision to Lancaster Mennonite in the district finals.

As tough as that loss was, it also helped the Warriors refocus. Without the burden of an undefeated record, Adam Yingling said he and his teammates approached Tuesday's game with a more relaxed mindset.

"I agree, it's (being undefeated) off our shoulders now," Yingling said. "I don't think it was necessarily hanging over our heads, but we were disappointed to get that far and lose. Hopefully we see (Lancaster Mennonite) again."

Gettysburg 2, Lansdale Catholic 0

Gettysburg11 —1
Lansdale Catholic00—0

First Half — 1. Matt Yingling, 29:35.

Second Half — 2. Adam Yingling, 37:57

Shots on goal — Get, 13. LC, 2

Corners — Get, 7. LC, 3

Goalies — Get, Yanni Tassou (2), LC, Jack Kane (11)