NTL BOYS SOCCER: ATHENS SHUTS DOWN ELK LAKE IN 2-0 WIN (24 PHOTOS) (2025-08-30)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Athens used stifling defense to post a dominant 2-0 win over Elk Lake here Saturday afternoon in non-league boys soccer action at Alumni Stadium.

"This was the best I have seen the boys play this season," said first-year coach Travis Reynard. 

"They moved the ball well in all thirds of the field, and played with pace often two or three touches max that allowed them to create more chances and switch the field often, resulting in us slipping in behind the back line of Elk Lake," added Reynard.

The Wildcats are now 2-0 and have won both games by shutout.

"A great performance by our defense today, especially only allowing one true shot on target from Elk Lake," said Reynard. 

"We stayed structured and in shape, and were better out of the air with our 50-50 balls, which is something we struggled with a lot in our last game," he added.

The Wildcats took the lead about 10 minutes into the game off a corner kick by Chase Gombocz. Eli Vogell settled the corner kick to the foot of Alex Thompson, who beat the keeper to make it 1-0.

The score remained 1-0 until Kam Wheeler's crossing back caromed off an Elk Lake defender and into the net to make it 2-0 with 28:45 remaining in the contest.

Athens had a 20-1 advantage in shots-on-goal. Both teams had three corner kicks.

"When you have roughly 20 shots on target and only two goals on the scoreboard, it definitely is concerning," said Reynard. 

"All credit to Elk Lake's goal keeper Gage Shupp for shutting us down at all angles of the net," he noted.
 
"When we get into bigger games as the season goes on we need to capitalize on the chances we get and put the ball in the back of the net," added Reynard. "We simply have to be better with our finishing inside the box."

Zach Fisher had one save in net for Athens.

Athens returns to action Tuesday at Wellsboro and Thursday at Williamson.

"We are entering one of our biggest weeks of the season, playing at Wellsboro Tuesday and at Williamson Thursday," said Reynard. 

"Two big games against strong teams, where we will need to play even better then we did today, and be on our 'A' game as I’m hoping to be competitive for all 80 minutes," added Reynard.

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PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.

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