Bald Eagle uses strong second half to get past spunky Lady Raiders’ team

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: September 26, 2019

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – The Bellefonte girls soccer team came into Wednesday’s game against Bald Eagle trying to topple them from the ranks of the unbeaten.

While just coming off an overtime tie against Penns Valley, the Eagles were looking to get back into winning side of things and remain on top of the Mountain League.

Throw in the fact of it being a rivalry game, what you got was a close contest until midway through the game.

Before that, it was anyone’s ball game.

In the first half, the Bellefonte defense kept the Eagles to only one goal while its offense also had one, setting the stage for an interesting second half.

In the second, the Eagles roared into the half and were able to hit three uncontested goal en route to the Bald Eagle Area 4-1 victory.

“We has a good halftime talk and that how they know how to play. So I was really happy to see them flip that switch and turn it in the other direction,” said Bald Eagle coach Jared Moore. “So they are really tired after that Penns Valley game. I’m glad that they came out in the second half ready to go.”

In the first half, the RedcRaiders goalie Emily Culp was very stingy in the goal Area, stopping five of the 11 shots that were sent her way.

Her defensive back-Line was also very supportive, keeping the Eagles off the scoreboard for almost half of the period.

After a back-and-forth battle of possession, Bald Eagle struck first when Georgia Cingle picked up an assist from Zoey McHenry at 20:47.

But the Red Raiders responded less a minute later with a goal of their own.

Madalyn Morelli found an open Mia Johnson in transition and Johnson blasted past goalie Rachel Veneziano, knotting it at one with 19:49 left in the half.

“I felt like we came out strong. We had a really strong first half. I think what it came down to was our fitness and depth,” Bellefonte coach Stacey Miller said. “We’re not as deep on our bench as Bald Eagle.I think that hurt us a little bit. I think that overall the coaching staff was super proud of them because the first meeting with them we didn’t hang with them at all. Tonight, I thought we were in the game and that was a major improvement.”

Despite different chances by both teams, the score remained tied as they went into the intermission.

Coming out of the halftime, the Eagles cane out flying up and down the field, taking their game to a higher level.

Despite being pressured from the beginning of the second, Bellefonte’s defense remained strong and turned the Eagles’ away empty handed until the 25th-minute of the half.

Bald Eagles Zoey McHenry got the scoring started in the half thanks to an assist from Faylen McHenry, at 25:52.

Just over five minutes later, Zoey McHenry got the call again. This time it was an assist from Anna Cingle at 20:23.

With the two-goal cushion, Bald Eagle added a late goal by Faylen McHenry to ice the game with 8:14, remaining.

Bald Eagle led in shots on goal by a 31-9 margin and took advantage of their corner opportunities as they held a 10-1 advantage.

Bellefonte goalie Emily Kulp snagged 19 saves while Bald Eagle goalkeeper Rachel Veneziano had seven.

With the win, the Eagles remain on top of the Mountain League.

Bald Eagle Area 4, Bellefonte 1

BEA 1 3 – 4

BEL 1 0 – 1

Scoring

First half

BEA – Georgia Cingle assist from Zoey McHenry, 20:47.