Weather stops finale for Rockets, Gremlins
SLIPPERY ROCK — Lightning struck before either Slippery Rock or Karns City could in a curtailed clash between two playoff-bound boys soccer teams Thursday night.
The match ended in a scoreless tie at Troy-Alan Stadium.
Under angry skies, the host Rockets (11-3-3) weren't without scoring opportunities, though.
A crosser off the foot of Ethan Folmer passed by the net in the eighth minute, but was too hot for midfielder David Magliocca to gather. Boots by Hunter Berry and Logan Clark missed the mark soon after.
The goal kick that followed Clark's shot ended up back in Rocket possession, intercepted by Ayden Villotti and dished to Logan Arblaster. The latter kicked the ball wide of the goal.
“It would've been nice to be able to put a goal in, having it down on their half a lot,” Slippery Rock coach Kyle Hopkins said. “I was impressed. (They were) keeping control of the ball and not panicking a lot with the ball.”
Kingerski and Berry have been instrumental in generating goals, Hopkins added. Folmer and Trent Davey hold it down in the back, while Kaleb Kuhn has controlled the middle.
Defense and fortunate bounces helped Karns City (14-2-1) keep the scoreboard empty.In the 13th minute, Gremlin goalie Lucas Yasika punched Kuhn's shot over the net.During the rest of the first half, the Rockets' Nick Kingerski notched four more shots, none more promising than one that bounced and caught Yasika in the chest in the 32nd minute.“Defense has been the name of the game for us this year,” Karns City coach Jim Grenninger said. “I think Luke Yasika in goal probably (had) his best performance of the year for us.”Grenninger also mentioned the performance of junior defender Mallick Metcalfe, an all-league goalie last year who decided to play the field this season.The shrill beeps of weather alert notifications echoed through the stands and umbrellas unfurled with about five minutes left in the first half. The teams rushed the halftime, but could only make it a few ticks over three minutes into the second frame before the sky lit up. The contest was eventually called.Slippery Rock finished behind only Grove City in the District 10, Region 2 standings. Following their bye, the Rockets will play North East in the quarterfinal round of the district's Class 2A playoffs on Wednesday.The top-seeded Gremlins will have to wait until Nov. 4 to play the winner of St. Marys and Punxsutawney in the District 9 Class 2A tournament.
