Nov. 17—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — After the girls game produced seven goals, the boys portion of the 13th Santa Fund Soccer Classic had only one shot find the net.
Bedford’s Cole Taylor scored for the South with 2 minutes, 15 seconds remaining in the opening half. South goalkeeper Bryson Costa and the defense made the margin stand in a 1-0 victory over the North in front of several hundred fans at Trojan Stadium.
“They played it out of the back, the ball bounced in the air and our midfielder Chase Bussard, who I’m used to playing with, popped it over the top, let it go around me — ran on and found the far post,” said Taylor, who took the most valuable player honor in the boys game. “I’m used to doing that with ‘Buzz’ because we played a lot together.”
Costa and the North’s Michael Furdella, of Greater Johnstown, each were strong in goal.
“It was definitely a lot more difficult, but it’s fun,” Taylor said.
“But it’s harder because I’m not used to playing with these guys. No one really knows names. There’s no chemistry. As the game went on, we got better.”
The South girls scored three goals in each half, including a pair by game MVP Mariah Andrews, of Windber, to beat the North 6-1.
Andrews, a striker, scored two goals and had an assist to earn most valuable player honors.
“It was really fun playing with the girls. I always played against them my whole life,” Andrews said. “It was just a very nice experience to finally to be able to play with them.”
Andrews’ first goal with 17:51 left in the opening half gave the South a 3-1 advantage that stood at halftime. She assisted on Somerset’s Josie Steele’s goal that made it 2-0.
“We actually never had a practice together, but we had a bond instantly and that’s how that happened,” Andrews said.
Steele and Rockwood’s Mollie Wheatley, who netted the game’s first goal, scored less than 3 minutes apart in the first half.
The North’s Angelina Kutsick, of Westmont Hilltop, tallied her team’s lone goal with 21:47 on the first-half clock to briefly make it a one-goal contest (2-1).
The South broke open the all-star game with three goals in the second half. North Star’s Abby Barnick had a goal with an assist from Bedford’s Ava Sipes at 21:53.
Andrews made it 5-1 at 20:24 as her Windber teammate Kaylee Dowdell had an assist. Another Ramblers player, Riley Brubaker, closed the scoring with a late goal.
Both Taylor and Andrews said the purpose of the all-star game had added significance.
The Santa Fund raises money to help provide gifts to underprivileged children during the holiday season.
“(This is) more important than any other game, honestly,” Taylor said.
“It’s great that we had this many people come out. It’s great that we were able to do this.”
“It’s always nice to give back to your community. It’s nice to help people that are in need,” Andrews added.
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.
