Untouchable?
CLARION — And the beat goes on.
Elk County Catholic was the latest challenger to take a shot at Karns City's girls soccer team.
In Tuesday's District 9 Class A semifinal, the Crusaders (12-6-2) were simply no match for the undefeated Gremlins, who cruised to a 9-0 victory at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium.
The win earns for Karns City (19-0) its sixth straight title-game appearance, where it will face DuBois Central Catholic, a 2-1 winner over Ridgway, Thursday at a time and site to be determined.
In a Class A boys semifinal Tuesday, Karns City dropped a 3-2 decision to Brockway.
Senior forward Breann Wood paced KC's girls with four goals, including a pair just 47 seconds apart early in the first half.
The Gremlins led 5-0 at halftime.
“I was impressed with our intensity tonight,” said KC coach Lisa Castiglione. “We came out and took nothing for granted.”
ECC goalkeeper Hannah Onink was under fire all night and she did stop 15 shots.
Emily Lopresti added two goals for the Gremlins while Abby Wolfe, Megan McCartney and Caterina Lopresti each scored once.
Morgan Deal made four saves in net for Karns City.
The Gremlins have been involved in so many lopsided outcomes this season, the players remaining focused is an achievement in itself.
“It's all about preparation,” Castiglione said. “You want to make sure you are playing at the highest level because you will be facing stronger teams in each round of the playoffs.”
The Gremlins won the District 9 championship last year before falling in the first round of the state playoffs.
While members of this year's team are eager to make a deeper run in November, they know that they must first take care of business Thursday. Only the district champion earns a berth into the state tournament.
“All the seniors are doing what it takes to help the younger girls,” said Wood. “We all get along well and we just have to keep our heads.”
<B>Brockway 3, KC 2</B>Brockway junior James Matson's scoring opportunities in the first half led only to near-misses.The forward made up for it in the second half.Matson scored twice, the second goal coming with just 3:31 left in the game and proved to be the difference against the Gremlins (13-3).“This is the best game I've seen James play,” said Brockway coach Rich Esposito. “He just took over the center midfield tonight.”It is the third consecutive season that the Gremlins' district title hopes were dashed by the Rovers. In 2011 and 2012, Brockway topped KC in the championship game.Noah Pollock's goal in the 10th minute of play gave Karns City a 1-0 edge Tuesday. That score held up until Matson, who had several shots sail just wide or high of the net in the first 40 minutes, scored just over three minutes into the second half.The Gremlins answered when Jace Ebbitt was credited with a goal seven minutes later, but the Rovers (14-4-1) weren't finished. Midfielder Mason Lindenmuth took a centering pass from Jarrett Esposito, who was streaking down the right side, and beat KC goalkeeper David Olszak in the left side of the net.The score came with 14:58 left in the game. Matson's game-winner followed 11 and a half minutes later.“Karns City is a great team,” said Coach Esposito. “No matter how many kids they graduate, you know they are always going to play good soccer. Our kids just didn't quit tonight and I am proud of their effort.”“Our inexperience in the back hurt us,” said KC coach Jim Grenninger. “We only had one starter back there this season. We panicked tonight and were just kicking the ball around.”Another factor was the absence of sophomore midfielder Conrad Snyder, who was forced to leave the game in the 13th minute after he took a free kick to the face.“After that, we lost our pace up front,” said Grenninger. “This loss hurts now, but we were a very young team this year (with just two seniors). We told the guys that we had to play together and it's been a good run.”Both Olszak and Brockway's Eric Hatfield stopped six shots.
