CATAWISSA R.R. - It took almost 60 minutes, but Southern Columbia finally scored a goal against stubborn Mount Carmel and made it stand for a 1-0 Heartland Conference Division II win over the Red Tornadoes Thursday at Southern.
Mackenzie Clark scored on what looked like a putback at the 59:57 mark, but the Tiger sophomore said the goal was a little more straightforward.
"Either Courtney (Cecco) or Teanna (Shutt), I can't remember which, gave the ball to me and I kicked it to my right, and then just shot it," said Clark.
No matter how it happened, the ball went in, and for a long time it looked like neither team would score against each other.
The win solidified Southern's District 4 seeding hopes, giving the Tigers a 12-3 record. Mount Carmel dropped to 6-6 but should qualify. The Red Tornadoes play two games Saturday, against Lourdes and Shamokin, and will be favored in each. Mount Carmel still has division games left against Loyalsock and Jersey Shore, as well.
As in the first game between the teams, a 3-1 Southern win, the biggest difference was probably the Tigers' depth advantage. Southern shuffled five or six reserves into play almost constantly; Mount Carmel didn't substitute at all the whole second half.
Mount Carmel coach Rich Miller doesn't necessarily think that should make much difference, saying his girls should be in top shape by this point of the season. But ultimately, fresh legs will win out in almost any sport, and as the second half went on, it became apparent that Southern players were getting up and down the field quicker.
"We have some depth for a change," said Southern head coach Derek Stine. "I've said from the start that was one of our strengths this season. The girls really wanted to win this game because it was the last home game for the seniors."
Despite his team falling to .500, Miller said he was convinced the Red Tornadoes belong in the same tier with teams like defending state champ Warrior Run, 2009 state champ Loyalsock, and Southern.
"We lost to Warrior Run by a goal, we lost to Southern by a goal," Miller said. "I thought we played real well in the first half, and I told the girls that."
Both Stine and Miller agreed the upcoming district tournament should be a good one.
"You have Warrior Run, Loyalsock, Hughesville, us, and Bloomsburg out of Division III," Stine said. "And you never know who's going to come out of the Northern Tier. You don't know what to expect."
"The seeding is always interesting, because they don't go by schedule," Miller said. "Some teams get seeded high that shouldn't be there."
Although not speaking for her teammates, Clark, for her part, isn't too concerned about seedings and pairings.
"We can play with anyone," she said. "I'm not worried at all, I think we'll do well. I'd like to play Loyalsock again. We just have to find a way to score against them."
Game Summary
Mount Carmel 0 0 - 0
Southern Columbia 0 1 - 1
SC - Mackenzie Clark, 59:57
Shots: Mount Carmel 4, Southern 10. Corner kicks: Mount Carmel 1, Southern 1. Saves: Mount Carmel (Megan Van Doren) 6, Southern (Jess Watkins) 4.