Oley Valley caps improbable run with BCIAA title
Lynx top Wilson in OT for first crown since 1972
Oley Valley capped its dramatic run to the BCIAA final by defeating Wilson, 2-1, on Oct. 20 to claim the school’s first county boys’ soccer championship since 1972.
“We put out a good effort and that’s what we’ve been doing all season,” said Oley Valley head coach Shawn Meals. “Honestly, we came in with a plan and they carried it out.”
Oley, the No. 7 seed in the tournament, won each of its previous playoff games by one goal. They upset No. 2 Reading (3-2, 2OT) and No. 3 Fleetwood (1-0). Wilson, the 4-seed, defeated Daniel Boone (7-0) in the quarterfinals and top-seed Tulpehocken (3-2) in the semifinals.
Wilson senior Alessio Marchio scored the first goal of the game with just under 15 minutes left in the first half. The assist came from senior Gabe DiGiamberardino. It was Marchio’s 20th goal this season and DiGiamberardino’s third assist this year.
Oley quickly responded with a goal of their own with 11 minutes left in the first half. After a Wil-
son foul, Oley Valley sophomore Josh Daniels’ free kick was headed on net by junior Ethan LaVerdure. LaVerdure’s header was lofted just beyond the reach of Wilson keeper Benjamin Solsky. It was LaVerdure’s ninth goal this season and Daniels’ 12th assist.
Despite the 1-1 score at half, Wilson seemed to dominate the time of possession in the first half. Marchio and junior Alex Cluff made life difficult for the Oley Valley defense. Their size and speed led to plenty of first half opportunities for Wilson yet Oley Valley goalkeeper Nicholas Repko was
forced into only one save in the first half.
“Obviously we didn’t have the size, overall, that Wilson had,” said Meals. “We didn’t have the speed, maybe. But we had a plan and they stuck to it.”
That plan paid off in the second half.
The Lynx broke the 1-1 tie with 22 minutes left in the gameonagoal by junior Jaeger Frangakis. Oley Valley’s Brandon Tessier delivered a cross to earn the assist. The goal was Frangakis’ 14th of the year and it was Tessier’s second assist of the season.
Austin Himes played in goal during the second half for Oley Valley. Wilson totaled 13 shots during the game, and Himes came up huge with eight saves in the second half.
“Himes came up clutch in the second half,” said Meals. “I have to give credit to Nick though for the first half. Both keepers did an amazing job.”
Oley Valley’s defense held off Wilson’s second half attack just enough to maintain their lead. Wilson took five corner kicks and had two breakaway opportunities in
the second half. Two Wilson shots hit the crossbar, and on several occasions, the last Oley Valley defender prevented the Bulldogs from getting off a clear shot.
Wilson’s Solsky had a strong performance in net as well. He finished with
four saves.
Fouls and penalties hurt Wilson throughout the game in what became a physical matchup by both teams. Oley Valley’s first goal came from a free kick, and three Wilson players earned yellow cards in the second half.