WILLIAMSTOWN — Minersville was looking to build some momentum and confidence heading into the district playoffs.
Denying one of their biggest rivals a division title didn’t hurt the Miners, either.
Dominika Rutecki scored the game’s only goal during the 48th minute to back up another solid defensive effort by Minersville in a 1-0 victory over Williams Valley in a Schuylkill League Division II contest Thursday at Viking Stadium.
The victory was a high point to what’s been an up-and-down season for the Miners (10-4-3, 8-3-2 D-II), who have struggled at times putting the ball in the net. Despite missing out on the Schuylkill League playoffs, Minersville has qualified for the District 11 Class A postseason again and is seeded fifth in the district rankings.
The Miners ended the regular season with wins in three of their final four games.
“We were struggling for a little bit,”senior defender Grace Lescavage said. “We weren’t winning, we were tying a lot of games and we had trouble finishing. We worked really hard in practice. We started practicing on Sundays just to get more touches on the ball and I think it helped a lot.”
Minersville’s victory also spoiled the Vikings’ hopes for a division championship.
After a 1-0 win over Schuylkill Haven on Tuesday, its second of the season over the Hurricanes, Williams Valley (13-4-1, 11-2-1 D-II) needed a win or tie Thursday to win the championship.
The loss gave Schuylkill Haven (14-3, 12-2 D-II) the title.
“I think we just come out ... I think it was nerves more than anything,” Williams Valley coach Gary Fetterhoff said. “It just seemed like they were dropping off to play defense to quick. They looked nervous out there and it’s been a while since we’ve played in a really big game like this for the division.”
Still, the Vikings are headed the league playoffs as the Division II wild card and will take on Division I champ Pine Grove (17-1, 12-0 D-I) in the league semifinals at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cardinal Stadium.
The first game has Schuylkill Haven taking on Division I wild card Blue Mountain (11-6-1, 9-2-1 D-I) at 5.
Minersville had an excellent chance to score during the 27th minute when Vikings’ keeper Alyssa Schadle came out to clear a ball that was just inside the 18. But she was unable to, and it found its way over to Brianna Smulley. She had a shot at an open net, but her shot hit the post.
Rutecki’s second-half goal was from about 10 yards out as she beat Schadle with a low shot to her left.
“I was surprised I made it,” Rutecki said. “I am not the good at kicking the ball when it comes to me, I usually like to be set up. I am usually more of a, the ball coming in, trying to head it and hit if off some part of my body. It felt good. We just needed that one push to save the game.”
The Miners’ defense did the rest, recording its eighth shutout of the season. Keeper Magdelynn Wigoda had eight saves.
The Vikings made a late push, and one of their best opportunities came during the 66th minute on a direct kick by Megan Schadle from about 25 yards out. It was over Wigoda’s head, but the shot hit the crossbar.
Lescavage helped lead Minersville’s defense, marking Williams Valley’s Emily Wessner, who came in with 22 goals on the season.
“She is a really tough opponent,” Lescavage said. “We just have to body up with her and stay on her tight. Our defense did a really good job and our freshman Maggie in goal is doing such a good job. She is doing so well. We have two other freshmen, Emily Kriston, she was on Hannah Nestor all night and she marked her, she barely touched the ball. She did such a good job. Marlena Purcell played well, too.”
Game Summary
Minersville (10-4-3, 8-3-2) 0 1 — 1 Wms. Val. (13-4-1, 11-2-1) 0 0 — 0
Min —Rutecki, 47:12
Shots on goal: Minersville 5, Williams Valley 8. Corner kicks: Minersville 2, Williams Valley 1. Saves: Minersville (Wigoda) 8, Williams Valley (A. Schadle) 4.
JV Score: MInersville 1-0