Penns Valley rolls to 13-0 shut out

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: September 13, 2021

On Thursday 9/9/21 the Penns Valley boys soccer squad traveled to Tyrone for their first regular season Mountain League matchup. This was the first league match for both teams and Penns Valley’s first regular season contest following their third place showing in the Bald Eagle Kickoff Tournament the previous weekend.

“You can prepare every way possible in pre-season – which we attempted to do – but you really don’t know what to expect in your first true competitive test when a new season begins,” said Rams head coach Ken Gore.

Early in the match the two squads stayed fairly even although Penns Valley created a few chances in the attacking third – but just couldn’t finish. Several attempts went wide or sailed over much to the obvious frustration of the Penns Valley coaching personnel. The Rams finally drew first blood with a Hayden Houser strike at 6:55. Penns Valley added 2 more goals through the period for a 3-0 advantage at the break.

“They (Tyrone) hung with us in the first half and we had a good, pointed ‘family chat,'” Gore explained about Penns Valley’s half-time conversation. “Those on the pitch at the beginning of the 2nd session knew they would have to perform or sit. They performed!”

“I told the guys that our 7 goals in the first 10 minutes of the half was one of the greatest ‘furious goal scoring festivals’ I’ve ever seen in my coaching career! They just flawlessly executed the fundamentals of passing, positioning, and finishing that we’ve been working on since the start of pre-season.”

Penns Valley added 3 more through the rest of the half – including a number of goals by several younger players who gained valuable varsity match playing experience. “Any time you can give younger players quality time at the varsity level, it’s a critical investment in your future.” Gore said.

“With a small, young, inexperienced squad, Tyrone has had a rough start this season – but we all understand that’s part of the ‘circle of life’ in soccer. I’ve been on both sides of that scenario and it’s tough. I wish those boys the best as they rebuild over the next couple of years.”

Senior attacker Aiden Culver was the standout for Penns Valley as he scored his first hat trick (3 goals) of the season and added 2 assists. Senior midfielder Danny Gray also contributed 1 goal and 4 assists.

(Image caption) Penns Valley senior defender Adrian Gover (#23) takes control of the ball as Tyrone forward Landon Berry (#31) and Penns Valley senior midfielder Alex King (#15) look on in Penns Valley’s contest at Tyrone on Thursday September 9. (photo credit: Jillian Anderson)