NTL BOYS SOCCER: UMBER, BLACKMAN SPARK FIRST-HALF BARRAGE IN ATHENS' 9-0 WIN OVER WYALUSING (12 PHOTOS) (October 17, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — Junior Patrick Umber scored twice in less than a minutes, both off assists from senior Blackman, early in the first half to trigger a six-goal first-half barrage in Athens' 9-0 "Senior Night" win over Wyalusing here Saturday afternoon in NTL boys soccer action.

"It was a great win for the seniors on their Senior Night," said Athens coach Travis Reynard. "They are a very special group and played a big role. 

"We finally got back to our scoring ways and were able to give many different players opportunities to score and contribute to the overall success. 

"Regardless of the score, there are still some things that need cleaned up and we can still find ways to be better as we head in to districts," added Reynard.

Blackman picked up his third assists when he set up senior Holden McKeever's goal with 17:22 remaining, and Umber finished off his hat trick about 7 1/2 minutes later off a feed from Abram Steinfelt to make it 4-0.

Sophomore Joey Schuler, off an assist from senior Noah Thompson, scored his first varsity goal, and Blackman, off an assist from sophomore Gage Hubbard scored late in the first half to give the Wildcats a 6-0 lead at the intermission.

Sophomore Caden Brennan, senior Zach Fisher, and Thompson scored Athens' second-half goals, and Hubbard was credited with his second assist. It was Fisher's first varsity goal.

"Offensively, we were able to combine on the wings and build an attack, which is something we have struggled with recently," said Reynard. "We had seven different goal scorers, with two scoring their first varsity goals.

"We still have to keep improving on finishing opportunities in front of the net and must keep moving the ball around in the final third and be more creative and not as predictable," he added.

Athens had a 24-4 advantage in shots-on-goal, and an 8-0 edge in corner kicks.
 
Senior Zach Fisher three saves, including a stop on a penalty kick, in net for the Wildcats.

"Defensively, we were much more comfortable and stepped to every ball," said Reynard. "We have to make sure we stay strong for the full 80 minutes and not make costly errors that can hurt us. 

"The PK save by Zach Fisher was a big relief and helped keep our momentum going," he added.

Athens 

Athens, now 11-5-2, returns to action Wednesday at NEB.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF LORRIE GOMBOCZ.

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