DISTRICT 4 BOYS SOCCER: SELINSGROVE TOPS ATHENS, 2-0, IN CLASS 3A TITLE GAME (24 PHOTOS) (2024-10-30)

Valley Sports Report
Top-seeded Selinsgrove took advantage of an Athens miscue to break a scoreless tie early in the second half on its way to a 2-0 win Wednesday night in the District 4, Class 3A boys soccer championship game at the Balls Mills Soccer Complex.

"I am very proud of the boys tonight," said Athens coach Jake Lezak. "We had a lot going against us, but they fought to the bitter end."

Coming off an outstanding defensive effort that resulted in a 1-0 win over Shikellamy in the Class 3A semifinals, the Wildcats held the Seals scoreless in the first half.

When Selinsgrove finally did get on the scoreboard about 5 1/2 minutes into the second half, it was an errant effort to clear the ball out of Athens box by a defender that ended up in the Wildcat goal.

The Seals added an insurance goal on a corner kick about 10 minutes later to make it 2-0, then controlled the ball the vast majority of the final 25 minutes to preserve the win.

Selinsgrove also dominated possession and field position in the first half, spending the majority of the half in the Athens defensive end, but the Wildcat defense kept them from getting off a clean shot.

The Wildcats did break through the Selinsgrove defense on occasion, but couldn't get off a clean shot to finish.

Both teams had six shots-on-goal in the contest, and the Seals had a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

Sophomore Zach Fisher recorded four saves in net for the Wildcats.

For Lezak it's the end of a storied 21-year coach career at Athens.

"Thank you," said Lezak in a social media post. "Thank you to the game, the players, my wife and family, coaching staff and so many other friends, parents and people.

"You've all given me so many memories that I can't possibly remember them all. I've learned so much over the years and am thankful for that.  

I'm proud to have been a coach here and proud to have been able to help guide so many players," added Lezak.

Athens wraps up the season at 9-8-3.

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IN PHOTO 1: Athens sophomore Zach Fisher. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens senior Josh Leonard. ... PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.

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