DISTRICT 4 GIRLS SOCCER: TOP-SEEDED SHIKELLAMY ENDS ATHENS' SEASON IN CLASS 3A SEMIFINALS (24 PHOTOS) (2024-10-26)

Valley Sports Report
LOYALSOCK — Top-seeded Shikellamy scored three goals in an eight-minute span midway through the first half on its way to a 5-0 win over fourth-seeded Athens here Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the District 4, Class 3A girls soccer playoffs.

Athens coach Rich Pitts said effort was not the problem for the Wildcats.

"I think our energy was great, from the girls off the bench to the girls on the field, everyone gave everything I expected, or wanted from them.

"We played our hearts out, we just didn't have enough horses," said Pitts.

The Braves scored their first goal about 11 minutes into the contest, then scored again about four minutes later to take a 2-0 lead.

Pitts was not a big fan of the second goal.

"The second goal shouldn't have been," he said. "I'm not calling anyone out, it's just a penalty. Any game you ever watch, you can't drive a shoulder into the chest, and then win the ball ... then they scored off it, that's a game-changer.

"It's not sour grapes, we lost 5-0, but that's a momentum-changer," added Pitts.

Shik scored again a little less than 3 1/2 minutes to up the advantage to 3-0.

The Braves added another goal about 8 1/2 minutes into the second half, and capped the scoring in the final minutes.

Shamokin entered the contest having scored 122 goals in 18 games, including eight games with at least nine goals and five of them with 10 or more goals.

"We're athletic, and we made it very difficult for them," said Pitts. "They beat teams by double-digits quite often this season ... they scored 120 goals, so to let up five, and really four, I'm good.

"Our back four is club level to me, from when you watch them in shape, in how they protect each other, and how they communicate," noted Pitts. "That's what my club kids do, so for them to be at that level with just one kid ... Brinley (Nichols) did a good job of teaching them some club tricks. Those four are studs."

Shikellamy had a 20-0 advantage in shots-on-goal, and a 4-0 edge in corner kicks.

"We just couldn't connect the final piece. We just weren't technical enough in that final third," said Pitts of his team's lack of offense.

Senior Carmelita Pomaquiza recorded 10 saves in net for the Wildcats.

Athens wraps up the season at 11-8.

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PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.


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