Central Clarion Wildcats Boys Soccer Wins OT Thriller in Playoffs Against Northern Potter

Photos by Matt Lerch – Above: Dany Schweitzer

(By Matt Lerch)

Number one seed Central Clarion Wildcats (16-2) were matched with the Northern Potter boys soccer team on home turf at Clarion-Limestone’s field on October 23rd after the Wildcats’ playoff bye. The weather was much warmer than normal with the temperature at 62 degrees at kickoff.

The Wildcats were playing their first playoff game of the 2024 campaign without their star co-captain, Thomas Uckert, but the team realized their firepower was deep enough to carry them through. Brenden Bettwy stepped into the attacking midfielder role and was relentless in a tense evening during the battle on the pitch.

The scoring began when the Panthers were able to squeeze the ball into the goal box of the Wildcats. During a clearing attempt, the ball ricocheted back into the Wildcats’ goal for a 1-0 Northern Potter lead at 28:50.

The Wildcats soon responded with a nice combination when Bettwy passed to striker Martin Ormeno for a 1-1 tied score at 22:18. Right wing Wyatt Boyden was ready to take shots all night, knowing that in Uckert’s absence the offense would be relying on his bullet shots more than usual. After two Boyden attempts were foiled by the Panther goalie, Bettwy took a shot but it sailed over the crossbar.

Wildcat goalie Isaac Lerch made a quick kick save to keep the ball out of the net. Boyden shot again but was stopped by the nimble keeper. Lerch then had 3 consecutive corner kicks to fend off successfully. After two more stops by Lerch, Boyden found a charging Ormeno on a pass up field with the goalie making the stop going into the half.

The second half was dominated by the Wildcats. Bettwy had 5 shots, Boyden had 6 shots, Ormeno had 2 shots, Midfielder Dany Shweitzer had one shot, even defender Jason Megnin had a long shot but they all were stopped or missed wide or high. The Panthers were becoming more physical in the second half, and the referees noticed it. Four penalties and a yellow card were issued to the Panthers in the second half. The yellow card penalty was generated when Wildcat defender Brady Pierce was pushed down, Boyden took the penalty kick only to nail the crossbar with a sound like a tuning fork ensuing.

Both teams were trying to make a last-minute goal in regulation to break the tie. Lerch made two more saves. Then the buzzer sounded and the end of regulation was apparent. The tension was palpable in the stands as the crowd was on the edge of their seats.

The first overtime began with the Panthers pressing with a shot on Lerch who made the stop. Boyden took another shot on goal but the kick had too much lift. Lerch made one more stop when the Wildcats made another counter offensive. Schweitzer carried the ball down the field with several teammates waiting for a pass when Schweitzer made the split decision to take a shot on an opening on the left side finding the back of the net at 6:17 of the 15 minute overtime ending with a 2-1 win for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats were once again able to breathe deep, advancing to the next round of the playoffs. The defense, which is always solid, relied on the hard work of Mason Gourley, Pierce, Chris Kim, Carter Brown, Megnin and Ky Clark along with defensive midfielder Quinn O’Neil. The Wildcats will match up against the Redbank Bulldogs at home on Monday the 28th. During the regular season, the Wildcats shut out the Bulldogs 4-0 and 5-0. But this is the playoffs and anything can happen. The Wildcats are hoping they can keep their momentum coming off their 16-2 season.

(Keep ‘Er Goin’ Wildcats!!!! Thanks to Matt Lerch for this article and photos!!)