Frigid temperatures, dark clouds and the threat of sleet and
rain may have deterred spectators, but they didn’t phase the
Bradford High soccer team, which shut out Brookville 4-0 in
District 9 Class AA semifinal playoff action Wednesday at Pitt
Field.

Adam Feura scored twice to send the Owls into next week’s title
game. Steve Butler and Cody Nuzzo also added scores for the
Owls.

The game was scoreless until the 4:49 mark of the first half,
when Nuzzo put Bradford on the board as he sent one sailing over
goalie Shawn Smith’s head and into the right corner of the net.
Butler was credited with an assist.

Bradford scored its second goal late in the first half on a
diving header by Feura. Nuzzo was credited with the assist.

The second half began with a struggle to find some offensive
production. Several of Bradford’s attempts went sailing over the
goal, while Brookville sent many shots wide to the left and
right.

Bradford had one opportunity 28 minutes in, but Smith was able
to stop a potential goal.

The Owls made it 3-0 at the 5:28 mark as Steve Tingley found
Feura through a maze of Brookville players. Feura slammed the ball
past Smith and into the net.

A mere 23 seconds later, before the ball had a chance to cross
midfield, Butler was unassisted as he sent the ball screaming into
the net again, putting Bradford up 4-0.

“I’m very pleased with how the guys played today,” said Wes
Lohrman, BAHS coach. “It was controlled, patient soccer in this
game. They played the way we have been practicing all season.”

Bradford had several opportunities to add to its lead, but was
thwarted by Smith.

Smith stopped 12 strong goal attempts by the Owls, with the
majority of those saves taking place in the first half.

Bradford’s Micah Ridley had three saves in goal for the
Owls.

Lohrman also noted a slight change in position for some members
of the Owls.

“Two players moved positions today,” Lohrman commented. “They
were Ben Daggett on defense and Steve Tingley, who played defensive
center midfield.

“When he was on the field, Tingley helped control the pace of
how we moved the ball.”

Lohrman also showed his satisfaction with the performance of the
entire team in this playoff match-up.

“From my seniors to my freshmen, they all played outstanding
soccer,” Lohrman stated.

The Owls will play Clearfield in the title game next week. The
site, time and day will be announced. Clearfield blanked St. Marys
4-0 in Wednesday’s other semifinal game.