Despite the loss, MC’s Zimmerman shines in goal

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: September 27, 2021

By Kenny Varner

LEWISTOWN – Decimated by injuries and numerous players being out of action, the Mifflin County boys soccer team held their own for much of the contest but fell to Mechanicsburg 4-0 at home Monday.

Holding the Wildcats at bay during the contest was the Huskies’ goalie Conner Zimmerman.

Zimmerman was everywhere during the contest, blocking and stopping 28 shots on goal. From stopping Mechanicsburg breakaway attempts to stopping a penalty shot attempt, Zimmerman was clutch under pressure.

The whole Mifflin County squad battled until the very end despite trailing late.

“I say it every game. Conner Zimmerman can do things that humans aren’t supposed to. It’s amazing to watch him,” said Mifflin County coach Robert Lepley. “His athletic ability, his knowledge of the game and he is fearless.”

In the first half, the Wildcats went right to the Huskies back-third and started to take the early advantage.

But the Mifflin County defense was able to help keep the Wildcats from getting an open look at their goal.

Playing a strong game in the backfield for Mifflin County were Quinton Hepner, Ethan Plank, Gunnar Wagner and Hudson Sellers.

For the first 10 minutes the Huskies fended off run after run the Wildcats could throw at them.

However, Mechanicsburg found an opening and scored a when Noah Woska scored on an unassisted, goal at 28:39.

Less than three minutes left, the Wildcats scored once again.

This time Mechanicsburg got a cross field goal by Liam Stockbauer, giving the visitors a 2-0 advantage.

From there, the Mifflin County defense was back and smothering their offensive opponents.

At the intermission, the Wildcats led 2-0. Zimmerman had seven saves in the opening stanza.

When the two teams came out of the half, the Mifflin County offense started to penetrate the Mechanicsburg side but just could not get a pass inside.

But the speedy Wildcats still plastering the ball at the Mifflin County goal.

But numerous times, run after run, Zimmerman sent Mechanicsburg back, keeping the game to a 2-0 deficit.

But as the ball dipped below the 25-minute mark, Mechanicsburg started to push the ball back inside and at Zimmerman.

At the 24-minute mark, Stockbauer slid it past Zimmerman for the second time, upping the lead to 3-0.

However, the Huskies refused to give up and went into the Wildcats goal area but was thwarted at every run.

Zimmerman still held his own and even stopped a penalty shot by Travis Miller. Miller sent a blast at Zimmerman and he slapped the ball away, quickly recovered and stopped a second shot at the goal shot just seconds later.

As the game slipped under a minute, Mechanicsburg scored one last time when Tate Wiggins picked up a rebound off of a teammate’s shot and sent it home, ending the game at 4-0.

The Huskies are back in action Thursday at Hine against Palmyra.

Mechanicsburg 4, Mifflin County 0

MEC 2 2 -4

MC 0 0 – 0

First half

MEC – Noah Woska unassisted, 28:39.

MEC – Liam Stockbauer unassisted, 26:21.

Second half

MEC – Stockbauer unassisted, 24:00.

MEC – Tate Wiggins unassisted, 46.5.

Saves – Conner Zimmerman (MC) 28.

Noah Long (Mech.) 3.