Oley Valley falls in PIAA semis

As Jackson Smith answered questions and fought back tears, the other 11 seniors waited for him on the OV at midfield.

They were going to gather again, one last time, put their hands together and say, “Family.”

This was the last call for Oley Valley’s boys soccer players. The end of four years that went by in a blink yet will be carried with them forever.

Oley Valley lost to Lewisburg 2-0 in the PIAA Class 2A semifinals at home Tuesday.

“Since second grade

I’ve been with this group of kids,” Smith said. “I’ve never had a bad day with them.”

They played until it was so cold they couldn’t feel the tips of their fingers. They played until flurries f loated down from the night sky. They wanted to play a few days more.

If Oley’s dream of the school’s first state championship was going to be denied, this was the only way it could happen.

No one was going to outwork the Lynx. No team was tougher. It was going to take another level of talent.

That was Lewisburg (210), the nationally-ranked District 4 champion.

“I’ve been coaching a long time,” Oley coach Shawn Meals said. “That’s the best team I’ve seen. You can definitely tell they’re playing year-round.”

Lewisburg’s goals came about 11 minutes apart in the first half. They were different from the kinds of goals one typically sees in high school.

Jack Dieffenderfer and Penn State recruit Ben Liscum were on the goals.

There’s not much a team could do to prevent those goals.

“We’re all just heartbroken that we couldn’t pull out a win,” Smith said. “They’re a great team. They’re fast, they play quick and they know what they’re doing.”