Boy’s Soccer Continues Undefeated Streak Against Tough Opponents

By Dan McNair, Video Editor

Coming off of a strong 2-0 win over West York, the boys soccer team travelled west to compete in a day-long tournament in Greencastle, Pennsylvania on Saturday, September 17.

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Varsity players congratulate one another during a break in the game. Photo courtesy of Laurie Kettinger.

The team played two games, the first game was a neutral-field battle against the Shippensburg Greyhounds and the second was against the Greencastle Blue Devils on their home turf.

At the start of the day, the team felt comfortable going up against Shippensburg and quickly gained the upper hand over the greyhounds by scoring 5 goals in the first half.

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Senior Xander Holloway jumps for a header. Photo courtesy of Laurie Kettinger.

In the second half, Shippensburg scored their only goal off of a penalty kick while most junior-varsity Susky players were on the field, which was the first goal let in by Susky this season.

However, starting goalie Aaron Bilbie was not in the game to block the penalty kick and still has yet to let any shots get past him.

Despite the lone goal by Shippensburg, Susky showed clear control throughout entire game and came out on top with a score of 5-1.

After their matchup against Shippensburg, Susquehannock players had the opportunity to spectate Greencastle-Antrim’s 3-2 victory over the Susquehanna Valley Indians, which allowed the team to take note of the Blue Devil’s strategy and key players before facing them.

Prior to the second game, neither team was favored; however, Susquehannock Head Coach Brett Maxwell noted that Greencastle was a top-five opponent of the season.

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Senior Zak Kettinger battles for possession of the ball. Photo Courtesy of Laurie Kettinger.

Early in the first half, the Warriors dominated by controlling the ball in Greencastle-Antrim’s defensive third. The Warriors secured the upper hand with a clean goal by junior Jason Weger assisted by junior Zach Buchanan to bring the score to 1-0.

Later in the first half, senior Seth Bilbie scored off of a penalty kick to bring the game to 2-0 in favor of Susky in the second half.

The Warriors never lost their momentum and went on to score two more goals against the Blue Devils in the second half, securing the win with a final score of 4-0.

The team continued their undefeated streak against the East York Golden Knights in an away game on Tuesday, September 20.

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Junior Adam Rebich fights for an air ball. Photo Courtesy of Laurie Kettinger.

Susquehannock controlled the ball throughout the entire game and forced East York into a defensive position and blocked the only two shots by East York.

Senior Midfielder Colton Mumley scored all three goals of the game for Susquehannock- one in the first half and two in the second.

After a clear victory against East York, the team prepared for a potentially more challenging matchup against York Suburban at home on Wednesday, September 21.

The bulk of the first half saw a back and forth struggle between the Suburban Trojans and Warriors with neither team showing clear dominance over the other.

The Warriors were the first to put a point on the board when junior Jason Weger scored with 4 minutes remaining in the first half

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Junior Josh Smiley stops the run of an opponent. Photo Courtesy of Laurie Kettinger.

However, shortly after halftime, the Suburban Trojans presented the first major challenge of the last week when Senior Cheikh Cissé scored 6 minutes into the second half to bring the game to 1-1.

With the first legitimate challenge presented to the Warriors, the team came together and pulled forward with 3 more goals in the second half to close out the game with a score of 4-1.

After the game, the Warriors had an opportunity to reunite with a former Susky soccer star.

Cheikh Cisse, who scored the only goal on the Warirors, is a former Susquehannock student who played Warrior soccer for three years before moving into Suburban’s school district last year.

Susquehannock varsity players reunite with former Warrior soccer player Cheikh Cisse. Photo courtesy of Laurie Kettinger.
Susquehannock varsity players reunite with former Warrior soccer player Cheikh Cisse. Photo courtesy of Laurie Kettinger.

Senior defender Zak Kettinger explained the atmosphere of the team during practices and games.

“I really feel that we work well together, and we’re improving that chemistry every day. Beyond that, we really just have the drive to hopefully go far this season,” said Kettinger.

Senior forward Lucas Miller feels that the team has unique aspects that contribute to its success.

“Most of the starting lineup has really been twelve years in the making, since we’ve played together for such a long time. The chemistry is there for us so the rest just comes together naturally. Everybody on the team is really good on the ball and we all work hard which is the reason we’re successful,” said Miller.

Coming off of last week’s packed schedule, the Warriors will play Biglerville on Saturday at home, followed by a huge match against rival Gettysburg at home on Tuesday, September 27.