Norwin, Penn-Trafford boys soccer play to deadlock

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, September 20, 2018 | 10:21 PM

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Norwin had more shots, more opportunities and controlled possession for the majority of play, even as regulation blended into one overtime period, and then another.

But heated rival Penn-Trafford made sure nothing came easy for the offensive-minded Knights, who were unable to undo a 1-1 knot, and the Section 3-4A teams tied Thursday night after 110 minutes of soccer at Warrior Stadium in Harrison City.

The fifth-ranked Knights (7-1-1, 5-0-1) have not lost in eight consecutive games. The Warriors moved to 4-3-1, 4-2-1.

The teams also tied last year in the first game of their section series, 3-3, before Norwin took the second game, 2-1.

Norwin has won 18, lost seven and tied the Warriors six times in the last 15 years.

“They defended us as a unit really well,” Norwin coach Scott Schuchert said. “Once we got into the last level of defense, they closed the door.”

The Knights, who had scored 43 goals coming in, outshot the Warriors, 15-5. Norwin won 11 in a row against Penn-Trafford from 2008-13 before the Warriors rallied to take four of the next nine.

“We knew we would have to defend well,” Penn-Trafford coach Rick Nese said. “We did create some scoring opportunities, which was what we hoped to do. In the second half, we may have gotten a little gassed. I am really proud of our guys.”

Logan Kreutzberger made 14 saves for the Warriors.

“It’s tough to play like that,” said Norwin senior Carter Breen, who had Norwin’s goal. “We work so hard to get it up there and then nothing comes out of it. We’ll keep working and keep grinding.”

Breen said one key adjustment Penn-Trafford made was moving Noah Schlessinger to center-back.

“He’s a great player,” Breen said. “We were definitely prepared for the game. It’s just a rivalry, and it’s always a close game.”

There were very few scoring chances in the first 20 minutes. Kyle Krotec made a sliding save to rob the Warriors of an early score.

But Penn-Trafford didn’t miss on its second quality chance. Junior midfielder Reno Kearns flipped a shot to the left and past Krotec for the opening score in the 30th minute. It was his second score of the season.

“We were really confident going in,” Kearns said. “We were just trying to hold them in the whole time … just play through balls up the top when we could.”

While Norwin controlled possession in the first half, the Knights needed a penalty kick to tie it in the 33rd minute. And their top scorer did the honors as Breen made his 18th goal of the season look quite effortless.

In the first overtime, both teams had chances. Ian Brown made a defensive stop to keep Andrew Wertz’s attempt out of the net. Breen dropped a soft pass in for Will Keber but Keber did not get a shot off.

Breen missed a free kick from the 20-yard line before the Warriors’ final shot from the wing hit the far post in the closing second of the period.

In the second OT, Krotec made a diving stop to deter the game-winner. Breen was hit with a yellow card in the closing minutes, but Penn-Trafford could not take advantage of the missing standout.

“It’s such a good rivalry and there are good players coming out of both teams,” Kearns said.

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Norwin, Penn-Trafford