Second-half surge propels Faith Christian past rival Dock
TOWAMENCIN >> Faith Christian saw its way to a slick but satisfying win on the road Tuesday night, battling through a persistent rain and various bumps and bruises to hold off rival Dock Mennonite.
“It wasn’t a pretty game in the rain – it was kind of ugly. But any time you come away with a win on the road, it’s a good thing,” Lions coach Ryan Clymer said.
Faith, evening its record to 2-2 overall with a 1-0 mark in the Bicentennial Athletic League, led 1-0 at the intermission then broke a 1-1 tie midway through the second half and controlled things the rest of the way.
“Huge second half,” Clymer said. “Dock came out with something to prove. They were hot and heavy and they were coming. With the rain it got ugly at times but you live to fight another day.”
A pair of goals by Benny Goodrich and one by Colin Moyer got it done for the Lions, who also benefited from an outstanding night in net from keeper Roman Sigafoos.
Said Clymer of his goalie: “He had some big saves tonight, kept us in the game. I told him that save with about 30 seconds left in the first half was a big one. He got challenged but just knocked it away and that was the end of the half.”
Faith got to the break up 1-0 on Goodrich’s first goal.
“It was good to set the tone with that,” the junior said afterward.
Dock then evened things up less than three minutes after the break on a goal by Cameron LeSuer.
But then Faith began to find more traction.
“We adopted some of their tactics when they were playing really direct, and we decided, let’s do the same thing,” Clymer said.
Faith began to connect on some things and Goodrich drilled a penalty kick midway through the second half to break the 1-1 tie.
“It was really good to get that second goal and get that momentum back,” he said.
Faith controlled the midfield and got the clincher with just under 15 minutes to play, off the foot of Moyer.
The rain didn’t ruin the Lions’ night.
“It was a very enjoyable game – I really had fun,” Goodrich said. “It was just great to see the boys play well. It was a tough battle against a good team so we really had to work for it.
“I would say it’s a pretty big win moving forward. We can only go up from here.”
Dock’s goalie tandem of Cody Sell and Brayden Kratz produced some nice stops.
Faith has had some growing pains but is seeing its way through.
“We’re young, and we’re trying to put it together,” Clymer said. “These guys have different styles of play coming in and they’re learning. And hopefully, we can gell in the next two or three weeks. But they played hard. They did what they’re supposed to do.”
Faith Christian 3, Dock 1
Faith 1 2 – 3
Dock 0 1 – 1
First Half
FC – Benny Goodrich.
Second Half
D-Cameron LeSuer; FC-Goodrich; FC-Colin Moyer.
