Huntingdon continued its winning streak to start the season Wednesday at Penns Valley. The Bearcats gave up their first goal of the year, but two goals by Nathan Woods helped them to a 4-2 win over the Rams.
The victory keeps the Bearcats unbeaten at 4-0 with the last three wins coming on the road. Cory Barnett added a goal and an assist.
“We allowed Penns Valley to play its game in the first half,” Huntingdon head coach John Miller said. “We rebounded and played a better second half.
“We need to start playing consistently or it’s going to be a tough year. Luckily, the seniors stepped up, especially Cory, and controlled the ball more in the second half.”
Ten minutes into the match, the Bearcats scored, but the goal was called back. The referees conflicted each other with their whistles on an indirect kick and, after Barnett had scored the first time, the Rams blocked it the second time.
Barnett got the goal back a few minutes later. He took the ball along the end line and beat the keeper unassisted.
Penns Valley answered with the first goal against Huntingdon on the year. Tony Bryant carried the ball down the right side and put a shot over goalkeeper Fritz Yarrison to tie it at 1-1.
The game was only tied for a couple minutes before Woods hit a low left-footed shot from 18 yards that beat the keeper. The rest of the first half saw some physical play and the score remained 2-1.
The second half started with a penalty. Cory Neider tied the game for Penns Valley just five minues into the second half.
Huntingdon played better in the second half and Woods put the Bearcats back on top. He won a fight for the ball after heading it over the Penns Valley sweeper and finishing a breakaway with 12 minutes left to play.
Cunningham scored on a low shot from Barnett with three minutes to go for a 4-2 lead.
There weren’t a lot of shots on either side with the Bearcats taking 13 to the Rams’ eight. Huntingdon had five corner kicks, while Penns Valley had one.
Huntingdon returns home tonight to play McConnellsburg in a 7 p.m. non-league match at Detwiler Field. The Bearcats will then participate in a tournament at Altoona Saturday starting at 9 a.m.
