Overpowered
CLARION — Karns City was aware that Brockway brought no shortage of offensive talent into Thursday's District 9 Class A boys soccer championship game.
But the Rovers received key contributions from an unexpected source to help deny the Gremlins' bid for a sixth title in program history.
Junior Linkin Nichols, who Brockway coach Rich Esposito admitted is not one of his team's top threats, had a hand in both goals in a 2-0 win over KC at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium.
“We knew Karns City was going to double-team Zane and Hunter (Puhala and Allenbaugh) and that would open things up for our wings. Linkin is a wing and our goal was to get the ball out there and into the box.”
Nichols broke a scoreless tie in the 24th minute, then assisted on Noah Bash's score 11 minutes later.
“Brockway is well-coached and they have a lot of firepower on offense,” said KC coach Jim Grenninger. “I thought we handled it well until that second goal. Apparently, the ball deflected off one of our guys before going in.”
The Rovers (17-0), who successfully defended their title from last year with Thursday's win, controlled play for much of the first half. The Gremlins kept the Rovers off the board until goalkeeper Jake Weckerly made a save on a free kick from Allenbaugh, but Nichols made good on the rebound.
KC forced Brockway keeper Garet Park to make just one save in the first half before the Gremlins kicked it up a notch on offense in the final 40 minutes.
Two corner kicks and several other scoring opportunities went by without KC finding the net in the second half.
A free kick from 30 yards by the Gremlins' Owen Collwell was headed out of danger in the 51st minute. Dakota King challenged Park with a shot in the 66th minute, but the keeper gobbled up that chance.
“In the first half, there was too much separation with our midfielders. We didn't support our front enough,” Grenninger said. “We did a better job in the second half, but just didn't get enough quality shots on net.”
Park is playing beyond his status as a freshman. He finished the game with four saves.
“He split time early in the season, but then decided that he was going to be the guy,” said Esposito. “He stepped up. We've put a good defense in front of him and that helps his comfort level.
“For him to get a shutout in the district final with what Karns City has, it's great. He's been tremendous for us.”
Weckerly stopped eight shots, four in each half. He kept the deficit at two goals when, in the 60th minute came off his line to thwart a chance by a hard-charging Nichols on the left side of the box.
The Gremlins were playing for a district title for the fifth straight year. They fell to Saint Marys in last year's Class 2A final and finished with a record of 12-8. KC finishes this season at 18-2.
“Considering that I was fearful of us not having enough players earlier this year, that's pretty good,” said Grenninger. “We had some football players join the team and the guys bonded. There was no animosity because of playing time.”
