HERSHEY, Pa. — Winchester Thurston appeared to be in prime position to win its first PIAA Class 1A boys soccer title.
After all, the Bears were out to a one-goal lead in a hard-fought first half against District 11 champion Moravian Academy and had all the momentum in the world on their side.
In 1 minute and 32 seconds, however, Winchester Thurston went from potential state champion to a second-place trophy as the Lions (24-1-0) overcame an early Bears goal with two scores, including the first of two in the match by senior forward Austin Recinos, to pull out a 4-1 victory and their first title since 2014.
Moravian Academy defeated Sewickley Academy, 4-0, to win its only other title five years ago.
“I think we were ready to go and, in the first half we were good, the first 20 minutes of the second half we were good and then we started doing things we’re not used to doing and didn’t play our game,” Winchester Thurston coach Adam Brownold said. “I think we were still good with [Moravian Academy taking the lead] and at halftime we were good, but that’s a heck of a team.”
Both teams probed for a defensive weakness throughout the first half and each had viable scoring opportunities. But it was Winchester Thurston that opened the scoring thanks to solid work on its set plays.
Alex Hauskrecht lined up at the 20 for a direct free kick and bent the ball deep into the box and just to the right of Moravian Academy goalkeeper Ethan Buck. Diederik-Paul Schlingemann, though, outjumped a pair of Lions defenders and headed the ball home to give the Bears a 1-0 lead at 28:06 of the first half.
And that was only the start of the craziness.
Immediately after the goal, Julius Ewungkem got control and looped a pass for Recinos, who chipped it past Winchester Thurston goalkeeper Morgan Graham to tie the score at 1-1, 30 seconds after Schlingemann put the Bears in front.
It was only knotted for 92 seconds.
Moravian Academy had barely tied the score before Winchester Thurston was called for a handball and the Lions were given a penalty kick. Sophomore striker Gennaro Mazzella Di Bosco lined up and drove a quick shot inside the left post and past a diving Graham and, just like that, the Bears went from a one-goal lead to a one-goal deficit.
“That was a little bit lucky and I think that was the game right there,” Hartman said. “That was the momentum we needed and we just took over the game.”
PIAA Soccer Championships at Hersheypark Stadium
Boys / Class 1A
Moravian Academy 4, Winchester Thurston 1
WT: 1 0 -- 1
MA: 2 2 – 4
Scoring summary
WT: Diederik-Paul Schlingemann (Alex Hauskrecht) 28:06
MA: Austin Recinos (Julius Ewungkem) 28:36
MA: Gennaro Mazzella Di Bosco (PK) 30:08
MA: Archie Debbage 66:42
MA: Recinos 75:00
First Published: November 16, 2019, 9:25 p.m.
Updated: November 16, 2019, 9:31 p.m.