PIAA soccer quarterfinals: Seneca Valley boys’ Owen Eastgate finds ‘one little crack’ to beat Warwick
CHAMBERSBURG, Franklin County — Owen Eastgate looked directly at the bench as the final seconds counted down. He knew what was coming next.
Seneca Valley’s boys soccer players stormed the field in a sea of white jerseys. The WPIAL runner-up was moving on. One of four teams still standing.
Eastgate’s goal in the 55th minute lifted Seneca Valley past Warwick 1-0 in the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals Saturday at Chambersburg High School.
To get this win, the Raiders needed to get one goal. Although that might sound simple, it wasn’t. Warwick hadn’t allowed a goal in five district and state playoff games before this one.
Seneca Valley was able to solve a puzzle that has confounded many quality opponents.
“It was one little crack that we found and we were able to capitalize on,” coach George Williams said. “That’s state playoffs. It’s very often one play. We got fortunate.”
Seneca Valley (19-3) advanced to face District 1 runner-up Abington in the semifinals Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.
Play was mostly even for the first 40 minutes. Each side forced two routine saves. The field started to tilt Seneca Valley’s way over the next 15.
Jacob Prex played a long ball over the top of Warwick’s defense. Eastgate was on the other end of the pass. The senior calmly collected and picked his spot.
“Whenever we get that first one,” Eastgate said, “it just gives us the energy to keep rolling.”
Warwick (22-3-1), the District 3 champion for the first time since 2005, hadn’t allowed a goal since the Lancaster-Lebanon League final Oct. 15.
Through the next five playoff games, the Warriors posted three 1-0 victories. Their matches are often a race to one. This match was no exception.
“This was a tough Seneca Valley side,” Warwick coach Matt Wagner said. “Let’s be real. Their forwards were really good.”
Warwick’s players found themselves in a difficult and unfamiliar position. One that isn’t their strong suit. They were chasing the tying goal instead of trying to prevent it.
Seneca Valley withstood 25 minutes of relentless effort from the Warriors as they searched for the equalizer. The Raiders didn’t surrender a quality chance down the stretch.
“After we scored, sometimes there’s a letdown,” Williams said. “Our players worked super hard the rest of the game to keep them off (the board).”
Eastgate was a likely candidate to deliver a finish when Seneca Valley needed it most. He leads his team in scoring.
Warwick keeper Isaac Yerger ranks among the best in District 3. The senior turned aside a good look from Eastgate late in the first half.
No goalie could stop Eastgate’s game-winning shot. It was perfectly placed.
“He found his moment,” Williams said. “He had a couple of moments early on that they were able to stop. We kept going at it and trying it. That one worked.”
Warwick was riding an eight-game winning streak. The Warriors were hoping to reach the PIAA semifinals for the second consecutive season.
Instead, it’ll be Seneca Valley making that trip. Eastgate tried to soak in the feeling as the game ended.
“It was a whole bunch of emotions,” he said. “To do this my senior year is just great.”
After Warwick’s players were consoled and the handshakes were concluded, Williams pointed at the bleachers on the other side of the field.
“Take a jog,” he told his players.
They ran across and thanked the friends and family who were still waiting.
Only four teams are left in Class 4A. Seneca Valley was thrilled to be one of them.
