Behind Brockway’s Esposito duo, the Rovers are back in the District 9 Class A title game after a 6-0 win over Coudersport on Tuesday at Parkway Field.
With the win, Brockway advances to the state tournament and has a chance to avenge its 1-0 district final loss last year to Karns City. The Rovers take on Port Allegany on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Parkway Field after the Gators beat Elk Catholic, 2-1, in a shootout Tuesday.
Senior Jarrett Esposito scored twice while his younger brother Anthony also added two markers for the Rovers (14-1-1).
Brockway’s Carter Adams started the scoring after a corner kick by Jarrett Esposito put the ball in a scramble deep inside the Coudersport (13-7) defensive zone. Adams knocked it in just under four minutes into the game.
The Rovers then added the four Esposito brothers’ goals to take a 5-0 lead at halftime.
“I think we let the first goal get to us a little bit,” Coudersport head coach Erich Zaun said. “[Brockway] played well. They used the space very well.”
Coudersport had chances, but a few shots off the crossbar and the play of goalie Rover goalie Austin Moore kept the Falcons at bay. Coudersport’s Eli Trimbur had probably the Falcons’ best chance of the evening, firing a free kick from distance off the crossbar with 15 minutes left in the first half.
Brockway’s Nathan Smithtro scored with four minutes left in the game to bring the final tally to 6-0.
Coudersport’s Hunter Lauber had eight saves in goal, while Moore had seven.
“We picked up our passing in the second half,” Zaun said. “How we played in the second half is more what we would normally play. It just didn’t come together very well.”
The Falcons bid farewell to nine seniors, including Michael Kane, the reigning Upper Allegheny Valley Soccer League North division MVP and former all-star Trimbur. Zaun pointed out David Rigas as “strong in the midfield and our best defensive midfielder,” while he said that Justin Andrus “is one of our better defensive players.”
“I’m happy with the way the year turned out,” Zaun said. “Any year that we end up above .500, I’m pleased. I think this year we played some good teams. We lost to some good teams, too.”
