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NTL BOYS SOCCER: SECOND-HALF PENATLY KICK DOOMS ATHENS IN 1-0 LOSS TO HORSEHEADS IN REGULAR-SEASON FINALE (14 PHOTOS) (2025-10-14)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Horseheads scored on a penalty kick midway through the second half to break a scoreless tie in a 1-0 win over Athens in non-league boys soccer action here Tuesday night.

The Wildcats wrap up the regular season at 10-5-2,

"It's not the way we wanted to end our regular season," said first-year Athens coach Travis Reynard. "We were outplayed tonight by a very tactical Horseheads side that loved to move the ball on us.

"We couldn’t seem to connect the way we wanted and often got caught out of position, but it was a great match for us, especially heading into district play where we will see teams at that level," added Reynard.

Horseheads only got one shot-on-goal, but one was a penalty kick by Dominic Wood with 20 minutes remaining.

"We didn’t have a great start defensively," said Reynard. "We were flat and struggled with physicality and playing the ball out of the air.

"We settled in and had a much better second half and shut down the channels that Horseheads was looking to connect in," he added.

The Blue Raider defense limited Athens to just one shot-on-goal

"Offensively, we just couldn’t get a rhythm going, which is a problem we've had on and off all season," said Reynard. "We need to play as an attacking unit and focus on getting chances and that’s what we want to work on over this next week and half before district play."

Athens will likely be the top seed in the upcoming Class 3A playoffs.

"The message was clear to the team following the game, it’s time to wake up and focus on every little thing we do from here on out," said Reynard.

"It’s district time and for them to continue their season into late October and early November, they need to play together and find a way to win.

"I know this group has the talent to do that and are fully capable of competing for a district title," added Reynard.

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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.

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