HOLLIDAYSBURG — Steve Meehan knew Palmyra had a good boys soccer team.
The Westmont Hilltop coach just didn’t realize how good the Cougars were until he saw them beat his Hilltoppers 5-0 on Tuesday in the first round of the PIAA Class AA playoffs.
“That’s the best team I’ve ever seen. Ever.” Meehan said. “If they aren’t state champs, I’d be really surprised. They were a phenomenal team.”
The District 6 champion Hilltoppers (20-2) couldn’t keep up with the Cougars (24-1), who outshot Westmont 28-6. Michael Thompson and Brett Jankouskas each scored twice in the first half to give Palmyra a 4-0 lead. Westmont kept the District 3 third-place team off the board in the second half until Jeremy Benner scored with 15 seconds remaining.
“I thought we played well,” Palmyra coach Craig Tyrrell said. “Our task is to keep the ball as much as we can, and possess the ball. If we have it, they can’t score. They hustled at first and tried to push the tempo, but we were able to compose ourselves.”
Palmyra was ranked No. 1 in the state before being upset in the district playoffs by Tulpehocken.
“I think this is a new start for us,” Tyrrell said.
“We figured ‘Well that game is gone by, so now it’s a fresh league, pretty much.’ We’ll just take it one game at a time and see if we can get to the finals.”
Westmont only had a few scoring opportunities, with the best coming in the 18th minute.
Tyler Kleinmeyer sent a nice cross to Michael Burnheimer in the box, but Burnheimer’s shot hit the post and bounced out.
The second didn’t come until there were a little more than two minutes remaining, as Kleinmeyer had a breakaway, but his shot was stopped by Palmyra backup goalkeeper Nate McClellan.
The sophomore relieved starter Josh Lineaweaver, who didn’t need to stop a shot in the shutout.
Westmont keeper Aaron Stonecypher wasn’t so fortunate. The senior made six saves, including a spectacular diving stop in the 31st minute on a Kyle Schneider blast from 25 yards.
“He had some pretty good saves early,” Tyrrell said.
“Even when we started scoring a couple of goals, he still kept the game where if they scored one it would have been a different game.”
Despite the loss, Meehan was happy his team got a chance to play Palmyra.
“It’s going to be a real character builder, especially for our younger kids,” he said. “I’m so proud of our team, being top 16 in the state and getting to play a team like Palmyra and seeing what soccer is all about. I thought it was a great experience for everyone. I’m happy with our season. I’m proud of the kids. They’re great. One of the best seasons I’ve ever been a part of.”
High School Sports
Hilltoppers blanked in PIAA first round
- High School Sports
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Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Young takes silver in state triple jump
Chestnut Ridge senior Michael Young capped six years of triple jumping with a silver medal Friday on the first day of the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Seth Grove Stadium on the campus of Shippensburg University.
Young had a career-best leap of 45-9¼ just behind Jared Horne of Schuylkill Valley whose winning jump was 46-9. -
Forest Hills’ Smay places fifth in Class AA long jump
Brooke Smay is moving on up.
The Forest Hills junior earned a fifth-place position in the Class AA long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 3 ½ inches Friday on the first day of the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University. -
Bishop McCort wins District 6-A baseball crown
Bishop McCort truly won the District 6 Class A baseball championship as a team on Friday at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
There were more than a few huge plays. Of course a number of individuals stepped up to secure a 3-1 victory over LHAC rival Bishop Guilfoyle. -
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Hollidaysburg pitcher Dom Viduya and his Golden Tigers teammates beat defending champion Somerset 3-1 in Thursday’s District 6 Class AAA championship game at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
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Pitcher's 'bad day' results in no-hitter
Bridgit Yothers struggled on the mound on Thursday.
But the Chestnut Ridge right-hander was able to persevere through her issues, throwing a no-hitter against Bedford in their District 5 Class AA semifinal and helping the Lions to a 5-0 victory. -
Local athletes look to shine at PIAA track and field meet
Each of the nearly 50 area athletes who will be competing at this weekend’s PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University, will be looking for his or her best performance of the season, but only the top eight finishers in each event for both boys and girls will stand on the podium in front of the crowd at Seth Grove Stadium.
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Westmont, Somerset represented at PIAA Class AA tennis tourney
The PIAA Class AA tennis tournament showcases the top players in the state, which includes three area athletes, when it begins today at the Hershey Racquet Club.
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Corridini’s hit propels Shade
Tasha Corridini had been having a tough time at the plate on Wednesday.
The Shade leftfielder had struck out twice in her prior two at-bats against Shanksville-Stonycreek pitcher Kayla Stockenus.
But in the bottom of the seventh of a scoreless game with Kaily Karl on first, Corridini clubbed a triple out to the fence, scoring Karl and giving the Panthers a walk-off 1-0 win over the Vikings in a District 5 Class A softball quarterfinal. - More High School Sports Headlines
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