NTL BOYS SOCCER: ATHENS RIDES STRONG SECOND HALF TO 4-0 WIN OVER NORTH PENN-LIBERTY (21 PHOTOS) (September 15, 2026)
Valley Sports ReportATHENS — After a scoreless first half, Athens had four different players find the back of the net in the second half en route to a 4-0 win over North Penn-Liberty here Tuesday evening in NTL boys soccer action.
"It was a very tough match-up against a Liberty team that had speed on the defensive side of the ball," said acting Athens coach Colby Blakeman.
"It took us some time to put the ball in the net, but eventually after hard work and constant effort, the boys were able to score in the second half," he said
"We still definitely have some things to clean up to improve, and be better as a team," Blakeman added.
About 4 1/2 minutes into the second half, sophomore Caden Brennan tipped in a cross from senior Kamdyn Wheeler to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
Midway through the half, junior Patrick Umber, off a feed from junior Riley Patterson, gave the Wildcats a 2-0 cushion.
Senior Holden McKeever and sophomore Gage Hubbard, off a feed from senior Alex Arcesi, score in a 15-second span to make it 4-0 with 8:18 remaining in the contest.
"We had many chances throughout the game to score, but many times we couldn’t finish," said Blakeman. "We need to be more clinical when it comes to the final-third to score on teams."
Athens had an 8-1 advantage on shots-on-goal, and a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.
Senior Zach Fisher had one save in net for the Wildcats.
"It was a solid performance out of backline tonight," said Blakeman. "We did very well controlling the attackers and making sure not to give them many chances to score.
"There are still some things to work on, like being comfortable with the ball at our feet and winning the ball out of the air," he added.
Athens, now 5-1, returns to action Thursday at Wellsboro (3-1-1).
————————
PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
Print Friendly Version
