PIAA soccer: How Karns City’s boys saw their season end against Somerset in Class 2A subregional
BROCKWAY — For 86 minutes, Karns City withstood Somerset’s attack, with goalie Brock Dittman making 15 saves in the process.
With just over eight minutes left in overtime, however, the Eagles finally cashed in.
Senior striker Declan Egal struggled to control a pass he received, but made a move toward Karns City’s net from the left side. Dittman came out to challenge, but just before he arrived, Egal jumped and got a foot on the ball, which was two feet off the turf.
The shot ended up in the back of the net, the only goal in a 1-0 win for the Eagles in a Class 2A subregional state playoff at Frank Varischetti Field.
Somerset (17-4) had been unable to score on numerous legitimate chances earlier in the game.
“They are a defensive-minded team, but they knew how to attack us with delayed runs on the wing,” KC coach R.J. Carson said. “We battled and it took a lucky bounce to beat us.”
Egal missed several games with injury before returning to Somerset’s lineup three weeks ago.
“We were frustrated with not being able to score on any of our previous opportunities tonight,” Eagles coach Mark Wassilchalk said. “But at this time of the year, it’s survive and move on. Declan has been one of our top scorers since coming back.”
KC’s chances were limited and centered around senior forward Mason Bell, the team’s leader with 14 goals.
His best opportunity came in the 76th minute when Somerset goalie Michael Hurtado came off his line to thwart Bell’s advance. Bell was able to maneuver past him, but now had his back to the net 20 yards out.
He was able to maintain possession despite the effort of an Eagles defender, but when he turned and got a shot off, it sailed wide left past an empty net.
Somerset missed another chance to score in regulation in the 65th minute.
Dittman made a save on a shot from Gabriel Gary at close range. The rebound bounced to the right of the net, where a Karns City player cleared the ball, leading to an attempt by Bell at the other end that was stopped by Hurtado, one of his five saves.
“Brock played phenomenally tonight,” Carson said of Dittman. “His hands, his control … He has a very calm demeanor, there’s no panic in him.”
The Eagles had arrived to the game as District 5 champions after outlasting Bedford in penalty kicks Tuesday night.
Karns City (10-10) won the ninth District 9 title in program history with a defeat of Saint Marys on Monday.
Playing their final game for Karns City were seniors Aaron Wimer, Colton Christie, Alex Kredel, Wyatt Mackrell and Bell.
“The seniors won a district title when they were freshmen,” Carson said. “They knew what it was going to take to get us back, and they did a great job of helping the younger players this season.”
