Central York freshman propels Panthers in double OT

With just minutes to go before a shootout would be needed, Central York freshman Anya Schnetzka scored a game-winning goal in double overtime to propel the Panthers past Susquehannock, 3-2, in the first round of the YAIAA girls' soccer tournament Saturday afternoon at Warrior Stadium in Gettysburg.

A huge scramble in front of the Susquehannock net pulled Warriors keeper Maggie Sisler off her line and Schnetzka fired a loose ball home before Sisler could retreat. The final goal came with 8:28 to play in the second overtime session.

"We had two girls in there fighting for the ball who hadn't played a lot today, so they had fresh legs," Central head coach Eric Webb said. "We tied these guys the first time, so we expected this to be another tight one."

Webb was referring to the squads' 2-2 draw, five weeks prior.

Central (9-9-1) carried a 1-0 lead into halftime. Mia Balderston scored off an assist from Lynsey Nicholas at the 17:44 mark of the opening half. The goal developed after Nicholas played from left to center and Balderston then deposited it into the top left corner of the net.

Susquehannock (12-3-2) leveled the match with 29:04 to play in regulation when Carly Attig scored off assists by Taylor Tannura and Corrie Orner. Orner played a cross off a corner kick to Tannura, who slipped a pass to Attig for the finish.

It stayed that way until the 11:54 mark when Rachel Wilhelm's direct kick from the right corner of the penalty box whizzed past Sisler.

Tannura evened the match again when she redirected Orner's corner with 8:19 to play.

"We talk a lot about set pieces and how they are important for us and against us," Susquehannock head coach Pat Brubaker said. "We work on them a lot in practice, and I'd like to say that we've scored a lot off of them this year, but that would be lying."

Each team had an opportunity to win in the first overtime, but Sisler denied Megan York with 13:09 left and Central keeper Rachel Szczypinski turned aside Tannura's attempt with 3:07 remaining.

Central held an 11-7 advantage in shots on goal and a 10-5 edge in corners.

"We were down, but the girls kept fighting," Brubaker said. "I'm proud of the way they competed today against a very good team."

Central York _1_1_0_1 - _3

Susquehannock _0_2_0_0 - _2

First Half - 1. CY, Mia Balderston (Lynsey Nicholas), 17:44.

Second Half - 2. Sus, Carly Attig (Taylor Tannura, Corrie Orner), 29:04. 3. CY, Rachel Wilhelm, 11:54. 4. Sus, Tannura (Orner), 8:19.

Second Overtime - 5. CY, Anya Schnetzka, 8:28.

Shots on Goal - CY 11; Sus 7

Corners - CY 10; Sus 5

Goalies - CY, Rachel Szczypinski (5 saves); Sus, Maggie Sisler (8 saves).