WRIGHT TWP. — Midway through the second half, the Crestwood boys soccer team watched its lead over Pittston Area evaporate, the equalizer coming on a costly own goal from the Comets defense. Some teams might panic in this situation, especially with a spot in the district title match on the line.
Crestwood just went right back to work.
Ethan Zabroski launched the go-ahead goal from way outside the box, and Ethan Boellmann added another score just 35 seconds later for a crucial bit of insurance in a 4-2 victory over Pittston in the Class 3A semifinals Wednesday night.
“I was really happy that I had the opportunity to get us there,” Zabroski said. “I’m glad I was given the ball, I’m glad it went in, and I’m glad we’re going to the championship.”
It was a quick one-two punch that reflected the aggressiveness the Crestwood offense had shown all night. Zabroski found himself with the ball outside the penalty box, but showed no hesitation in letting it fly from distance and a perfectly-placed ball found the back of the net.
Before the Patriots had a chance to regroup, Crestwood had taken possession and marched straight downfield, with a pass from Roman DeLallo out of the corner finding Boellmann, who buried it to give the Comets some breathing room and put the scare behind them.
“It’s about being patient,” Crestwood coach Hardy Pinto said. “ … We knew we were going to get more chances in front of the goal.”
Early in the game, it looked like Crestwood’s path to the district final might be fairly straightforward. The Comets held a massive edge in shots on goal early, and Kyle Orrson scored twice to give his team a 2-0 edge.
The Patriots struck back right at the end of the first half to cut Crestwood’s lead in half. A Gavin Wolfe direct kick sailed over the defense and over Crestwood goalie Bailey Durofchalk for a goal that provided Pittston with some momentum.
With about 20 minutes gone in the second half, the second Pittston Area goal started just like the first: with a direct kick awarded to Wolfe.
This time, Wolfe sent a low spinner into the box, and an attempt by the Crestwood back line to clear the ball went awry. A bad deflection sent the ball heading backward, and Durofchalk couldn’t recover in time to prevent the own goal.
It looked like everything was heading Pittston Area’s way. But the Comets didn’t flinch.
Crestwood finished with leads of 20-4 in shots and 7-0 in corner kicks.
Kaden Rowan made 15 saves for the Patriots, who finished 13-6-1.
Pittston Area 3, West Scranton 2
Trailing by two early in the second half, Pittston Area rallied for three goals in a 19-minute span to beat West Scranton Tuesday in a Class 3A quarterfinals.
Kyle Rowan got the comeback started with a goal in the 51st minute before Fabrice Gatsinzi scored twice to put the Patriots on top. The equalizer came with 18 minutes left and the winner was scored with 10 minutes to play.
Kaden Rowan came up with 11 saves to preserve the win for the third-seeded Patriots. Selemani Dunia and Bryan Barbosa scored for the Invaders to break a scoreless tie after halftime.
Sadiki Murindabangabo, Jacob Ivey and William Egan had assists for the Patriots.
Pittston Area outshot West Scranton, 18-9.
North Pocono 8, Wyoming Area 2
Zach Evans had a hat trick as top-seeded North Pocono began its title run with Monday’s quarterfinal victory over Wyoming Area.
The Warriors finished 4-14-1.
