MIDD-WEST PUTS ATHENS AWAY IN SECOND HALF
By: Tim Birney / September 17, 2022 / Photo: Tim Birney
ATHENS — Midd-West pumped in four second-half goals to blow open a close
game en route to a 5-0 non-league win over Athens here Saturday
afternoon in boys soccer action at Alumni Stadium.
“It was a good first half from the team, but a poor second half,” said Athens coach Jake Lezak.
“We have to be a better team and kill the dribble, and put the other teams back line under pressure,” noted Lezak.
“Poor transition led to the second and third goals after we failed to pass early and lost possession.
“I
think the biggest issue we have is trusting each other against the
better opponents,” added Lezak. “The boys have to take ownership of
their own mistakes first then we can improve.”
Owen Solomon made a
run down the right-side of the box, and fired a shot across the goal
mouth inside the net at the far post with 15:08 remaining in the first
half for the only goal prior to the halftime intermission.
Athens senior keeper Grant Liechty made a pair of diving saves in the first half to keep the score at 1-0.
Kyle Ferster and Noah Romig scored in the opening minutes of the second half to give the Mustangs a 3-0 lead.
Romig and Solomon tacked on goals in the final 15 minutes to provide the final margin.
Midd-West had a 11-3 advantage in shots-on-goal, and a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
Liechty recorded six saves in net the for the Wildcats.
Athens, now 4-4, hosts Horseheads Monday at 6 p.m.
About the Author
Tim Birney
Tim Birney is the founder / owner of River Road Media Group. He was born and raised in the Valley, graduating from Waverly High School in 1984.
Birney earned an Associate's Degree in Journalism from SUNY Morrisville in 1986 and a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism / Public Relations from Utica College of Syracuse University in 1988. He began his newspaper career at The Daily Review in Towanda in 1989, before moving on to The Evening Times in 1995. He spent more than 10 years at the Times, the last four as Managing Editor.
River Road Media Group includes five sites in "The Sports Reports" family that cover 24 school districts in five counties: Valley Sports Report (launched Aug. 10, 2009), Tioga County (NY) Sports Report (Aug. 13, 2018), and Northern Tier Sports Report (Aug. 31, 2020); Northern Tier West Sports Report (March 15, 2021) Southern Tier Sports Report (Aug. 16, 2021).
