DISTRICT 4 GIRLS SOCCER: DANVILLE EDGES ATHENS, 1-0, IN CLASS 3A SEMIFINALS (24 PHOTOS) (October 31, 2026)
Valley Sports ReportHEPBURNVILLE — Danville scored early in the second half and made it stand in a 1-0 win over Athens here Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the District 4, Class 3A girls soccer playoffs.
"We had to work our way into the game as it progressed," said Athens coach Rich Pitts.
"I thought we played hard all game and really worked hard to find the equalizer right to the last second, which is all I asked," added Pitts.
After a scoreless first half, Delaney Willoughby fired a shot from outside the left post deep in the box into the net at right post about 7 1/2 minutes after the intermission to give the Ironman a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats spent much of the remaining 32:29 in their own front half of the field.
Danville had a 9-2 advantage in shots-on-goal, while Athens had an 8-1 edge in corner kicks.
Junior Annika Lezak recorded seven saves in net for the Wildcats.
Athens wraps up the season at 11-5-3, and will graduate six seniors, including four starters in Delanie Patton, Brinley Nichols, McKenna Jarvis,a and Kaitlyn Leonard.
"I think every one of our seniors did what we ask of every player and that’s leave it better than you found it," said Pitts.
"They took a young group of talent and made them believe in themselves and was close to getting back to winning titles.
"They have laid the groundwork for the ones they leave behind to have unbelievable success in the future," noted Pitts.
"I will miss them greatly, but as we say: Once a 'Cat always a 'Cat," added Pitts.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior McKenna Jarvis. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens senior Brinley Nichols. ... PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.
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