Valley Sports ReportGALETON — Athens battled the weather and a pesky Galeton squad, winning a 2-0 decision here Tuesday night to clinch its first NLT boys soccer title since 2021.
The Wildcats improve to 9-0-2 in NTL play, while second-place Wellsboro lost to Northeast Bradford and is 8-2-1 with one league game remaining.
"It was a rainy and muddy one, but the boys handled it well," said Athens coach Travis Reynard. "We were worried about how well they would be able to move the ball in the conditions, but it ended up being some of the best ball movement we as coaches have seen all season.
"We played quick and connected all over the field and capitalized when we needed too.
"Offensively, we tried some new things and it paid off," noted Reynard. "Scoring two goals in those conditions is great and we found feet and played balls into our wingers through the channel, which is something we have been working on.
"It was two-touch soccer at its finest for the most part, which I was glad to see," Reynard added.
Senior Chase Ingram about 12 minutes into the game drove a shot into the bottom corner of the net from just inside the 18.
Athens maintained a one-goal advantage until there were 14 minutes remaining in the game when Eli Vogell took a cross in the box from Noah Thompson and beat the keeper to extend the lead to 2-0.
The Wildcat defense has not allowed a goal in its 11 NTL games.
"Another shutout in the books," said Reynard. "We were strong all over the field and handled the slippery conditions well, especially our goal keeper Zach Fisher, who played in some muddy conditions, but was able to control the ball comfortably and make the saves he needed too."
Athens, now 10-3-2 overall, returns to action Thursday when it hosts North Penn-Liberty.
"We finish NTL play Thursday at home with Senior Night and have our goal set on completing the NTL shut out," said Reynard. "We will work hard in all aspects of the game to make sure that happens for this special group."
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PHOTOS BY LEIGHANNE INGRAM.
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