PHOTO GALLERY | Central Cambria boys go the distance, earn District 6-2A title game berth
· Yahoo Sports
EBENSBURG, Pa. – Through regulation and two 15-minute overtime sessions, Central Cambria junior goalkeeper Jacob Fisher made 18 saves, including one on a penalty shot, in a scoreless District 6 Class 2A boys soccer semifinal contest Monday.
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In the seventh round of the penalty shot duel against Juniata High School, the Red Devils goalie didn’t make a save. Instead, he watched an attempt roll wide of the net, then Fisher led the celebration in Central Cambria’s 0-0 double overtime victory (6-5 in penalty kicks) at the Red Devilplex.
PHOTO GALLERY | Juniata battles Central Cambria in D6-2A boys overtime soccer semifinal
“I have to give thanks to God, all of my players, especially my defense and offense, my seniors, everybody on this team helped me so much,” Fisher said after the second-seeded Red Devils earned a spot opposite top-seeded Westmont Hilltop in the 6-2A title match.
The Hilltoppers defeated Cambria Heights in two overtimes Monday.
“We’ve been shooting for this for years and we’ve come up short a number of times,” Central Cambria coach Bryce Croyle said. “Even just getting a win in the first round (3-1 over No. 7 seed Central) was huge for us. Coming up big in the second round and being able to advance is huge.”
Central Cambria takes a 16-2-2 record into the district final. Central Cambria and Westmont Hilltop tied 1-1 Sept. 2 and the Hilltoppers won 1-0 Oct. 20.
Third-seeded Juniata closed a 17-5 season. The Indians controlled the tempo throughout the game and posted an 18-2 advantage in shots on goal in regulation and the two overtimes.
“We controlled every statistical aspect of this game,” Juniata coach Jared Byler said. “Possession, corner kicks (12-2), shots on goal – you name it. We controlled everything but the one thing that truly mattered, and that was the scoreboard.”
Fisher had a huge role in creating that scenario.
The keeper made a diving stop with 4:30 remaining in the first half to thwart a quality scoring chance. He lunged to make a save 6:30 into the second half.
Fisher made his biggest save with 24:39 on the second-half clock. Juniata junior forward Alex Portzline had a penalty kick that the keeper dove to stop, preserving the scoreless contest.
“The first penalty (shot), I agree with the call,” Fisher said. “I had to step up for my team. We needed this game. I wanted to keep my seniors playing, completely. When we went into overtime, I’m like, ‘We got this. We got (penalty shots). I can do it again.’
“Once it got to ‘pens,’ I had the energy and the momentum to carry me on and save the pens shot at me. Even though I didn’t save the last one, I got lucky on a miss. This team deserves it so much.”
The Indians had plenty of opportunities, but the Red Devils didn’t buckle.
“Central Cambria played well,” Byler said. “They had a game plan in the second half – pack the box. Make it difficult for us. It was very clear their MO was to get it to penalties. You’ve got to tip your hat. Their strategy worked.”
The teams remained tied through the first penalty kick session, with each squad scoring on four of five attempts.
Central Cambria scored twice in the sixth and seventh rounds, and Juniata netted one goal.
Central Cambria players scoring penalty kicks included Rocco Barra, Isaac Oravec, Jonathan Rivera, Andres Rivera, Brock Williamson and Jonah Hoffman.
Juniata penalty-kick scorers included Chase Hartland, Landon Beward, Hayden Burd, Jackson Shellenberger and Easton Berry.
“I’m not disappointed in my guys,” Byler said. “I’m proud of them. They had a great season, and we accomplished a lot this year and met a lot of our goals. We came up short on one of them here.
"I still feel we have a team that could win this district, but sports are a cruel game and sometimes the better team doesn’t win.”
The winning team will play another game with a title at stake.
“It means so much,” Fisher said. “We have a chance for states. The season’s still going. It’s for all of our seniors. I love every single one of these guys. I will play for them. It’s so good to be on this team.”