Wyoming Area wins D2-2A girls soccer championship

WYOMING — Wyoming Area had its first and only shot of the second half Saturday afternoon at the midway point.

It was one of the biggest shots in the program’s history.

Ava Musinski scored from the middle of the penalty area and converted a penalty kick two minutes later as the Warriors defeated Mid Valley 3-1 for the District 2 Class 2A girls soccer championship.

Top-seeded Wyoming Area (18-1) won its second district title to go with a championship in 2018. The Warriors will play in the PIAA 2A state playoffs Tuesday at five-time District 4 champion Central Columbia (18-3). Central Columbia defeated Troy 2-0.

Until Musinski finally scored, third-seeded Mid Valley (15-5) had eight shots and two corner kicks through the first 20 minutes of the second half. The Spartans weren’t shy about ripping liners at the goal from outside the 18-yard line and ended up outshooting Wyoming Area 23-4.

Adding to the pressure was Mid Valley entered off a 6-1 win over second-seeded Lake-Lehman, which handed Wyoming Area its only loss in three meetings. Plus, the Spartans had allowed just 14 goals all season.

“Definitely really difficult,” Wyoming Area keeper Abigail Francis said. “There are a lot of nerves, but just the team I have we’re good at helping each other, calming each other down.

“We always have each others back, so it’s really helpful and makes it slightly less difficult mentally and physically.”

Musinski’s goal also helped smooth out the rough spots to that juncture. She took a pass from Teagan Meier to give Wyoming Area a 2-1 lead with 18:50 remaining.

“It felt so good,” Musinski said. “I saw the goalie coming out and I knew I just had to place it in the corner she wasn’t.”

Wyoming Area’s third goal came exactly two minutes later and with some controversy.

Kinley Park fell in the penalty area while being guarded by a Mid Valley defender. The game official on the sideline called for a corner kick, but the game official in the center signaled penalty kick.

Musinski made the penalty kick for a 3-1 lead, resulting in an angry Mid Valley coaching staff and eventually a yellow card.

Mid Valley’s attempt to get back into the game included a 30-yard shot by Karina Goetter smashing off the crossbar and Francis saving a grounder off the foot of Gwen Mazur.

Wyoming Area opened the scoring 19:38 into the game. Mid Valley keeper Alyssa Costello vacated the goal, coming way out to stop Wyoming Area’s Julianne Potter. She did, but the deflection went to Alana Zdaniewicz who scored into an empty net from about 22 yards out.

Mid Valley tied the score with 50 seconds until halftime. Sofia Goetter launched a 30-yarder to the upper right of the goal. Francis made a leaping attempt at a save and was able to get her hands on the ball but unable to haul it in.

“They’re a solid team,” Wyoming Area coach Chad Kranson said. “I’ve watched them play and the coach’s daughters and they have some kids around them that make them compete.

“Again, I think we had a plan coming in and our girls, you know, it was a little rocky for them for a little bit, but they stuck to the plan and it paid off.”

Wyoming Area won its first-round state game in 2018 and then lost in the quarterfinals.

District 2 Class 2A Championship

Wyoming Area 3, Mid Valley 1

Mid Valley`1`0 — 1

Wyoming Area`1`2 — 3

First Half: 1. WA, Alana Zdaniewicz, 19:38; 2. MV, Sofia Goetter, 39:10; Second Half: 3. WA, Ava Musinski (Teagan Meier), 21:10; 4. WA, Musinski (penalty kick), 23:10.

Shots: MV 23, WA 4. Saves: MV 1 (Alyssa Costello), WA 7 (Abigail Francis). Corners: MV 5, WA 0.