First Posted: 10/23/2014
Another season for the Patriots was plagued by injury. But that didn’t stop them from giving it their all in the PIAA District 2 Class AAA first round against Wyoming Valley West.
And by the time Wyoming Valley West’s Mike Bazadona secured a hat trick with 11 minutes to play, the Spartans were already up 6-0.
Both Bazadona and Hunter Maxwell scored three goals to lead the Spartans to a 7-1 win over Pittston Area Thursday afternoon at Spartan Stadium.
“We just couldn’t say healthy this season,” Pittston Area coach Pat O’Boyle said. “We had four freshmen get a ton of experience this year and that helps out. Valley West is a really good team.”
Coming in as the No. 1 seed in District 2, the Spartans (14-1) controlled possession on their side of the field most of the game and held Pittston Area to just four shots and one corner all game.
“I think we’ve been working really hard in practice lately,” Valley West coach Charlie Whited said. “The last three days have been really sharp. They executed well today, which I expected.”
The Patriots had trouble moving the ball into the Spartan side of the field all game. But one of the prettiest goals of the night, however, came with just 51 seconds on the clock. And it was from Pittston Area.
The Patriots were awarded a corner kick and striker Eann McCloe sent a beauty into the box where senior Julian Kester got his first goal of the season – it was a header past the Wyoming Valley West backup keeper.
“We’ve been trying to get him one all year long,” Pittston Area coach Pat O’Boyle said. “There hasn’t been a ton or opportunities. For him to get one at the end it was really nice. I’m really happy for him.”
Maxwell got things started just nine minutes in. Logan Zavada was able to find Maxwell streaking in front of the net and Maxwell blew one past Pittston Area freshman keeper Shane Sims. Three minutes later, Bazadona got his first goal when Donny Reynolds fed him a crisp pass.
Just 12 minutes in, the Spartans were on their way to the win.
“At the end of the day, the kids played hard,” O’Boyle said.
