Valley Sports ReportLIBERTY — After 100 minutes of scoreless action, Athens and North Penn-Liberty settled for a 0-0 double-overtime draw here Thursday afternoon in NTL boys soccer action.
"We didn’t play our best, but the boys fought for the full 100 minutes and never quit, which I am proud of," said Athens coach Travis Reynard. "It was a tough test against a very strong defensive team that often dropped back and showed their physicality all over the field.
"Our defense played physical often times too physical, which hurt us at times," noted Reynard. "Getting more than 20 fouls in a game is not something that sets a team up for success. We have to be smarter in certain moments, especially near our own 18 yard box.
"We got the job done defensively and completed another shutout, but there's definitely a lot to work on and take away from today," added Reynard.
Athens had a 4-3 edge in shots-on-goal, and a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Junior Zach Fisher recorded three saves in net for the Wildcats.
Reynard said his team had a few scoring opportunities.
"We had some good chances and just couldn’t finish," he said. "There were times of good combination play on the wings by players like Kam Wheeler, Caden Brennan, and Chase Gombocz, and some good chances up top and centrally by Eli Vogel, Chase Ingram, and Patrick Umber.
"We just weren’t able to get the final finish we were looking for," added Reynard. "Our best chance came in the middle of second half on a cross from Wheeler that Brennan just couldn’t connect with for the tap-in goal."
Athens, now 4-0-1, hosts Galeton Saturday at 1 p.m.
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IN PHOTO: Athens junior Zach Fisher. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.
