SV, Butler boys soccer battle to 1-1 deadlock
BUTLER TWP — Neither Butler or Seneca Valley was playing for a tie, but that’s what the boys soccer rivals forced each other to settle for as they battled to a 1-1 stalemate Tuesday at Art Bernardi Stadium.
“I was telling our boys after the game that Seneca is an unbelievable team,” said Butler coach Troy Mohney. “They’re defending state champions and are great again this year, so tying them, there’s a lot to be proud of.
“But anytime we step onto the field, I want more. I want to win.”
Butler’s Nick Niebauer almost made it happen in the 98th minute. Following a Golden Tornado free kick from just beyond midfield, Niebauer got a shot off from close range on the left side of the net, but SV’s Gus Wytcherley made his only save after regulation to preserve the tie.
It was Butler’s lone scoring chance in overtime and double overtime.
“We were tired,” said Mohney. “The coaching staff was over here thinking how we could get a few more minutes out of our guys. Some of them were cramping.”
For SV (8-0-3, 6-0-3), it was a third consecutive tie after previous draws against North Allegheny and Fox Chapel.
Raiders coach George Williams was frustrated over his team’s inability to score early in the game.
“I thought we controlled play early, had some chances, but didn’t capitalize on them,” he said. “They score the first goal and now we’re scrambling. Fortunately, we were able to score one to tie it up.”
Butler (8-2-2, 6-2-1) gained the lead in the 53rd minute when Andrew Lucas headed a corner kick past SV goalie Gus Wytcherley.
But the Raiders answered with Evan Howard’s tally 15 minutes later.
“I thought Seneca possessed the ball more in the first half, but we had the better scoring opportunities,” said Mohney, who lauded the play of his goalie, Drew Knight, who made 14 saves.
“I can think of a handful of incredible saves he had tonight that kept us from losing,” he said.
Wytcherley finished with five saves.
The Raiders had defeated Butler earlier this season, 3-2 on a penalty kick in overtime.
