
Mechanics Salvage Tie with Lehigh Carbon
Having defeated the Lehigh Carbon Community College Cougars earlier in the year at home, Williamson knew they would get the best shot from LCCC, as they were looking for revenge. Sure enough, the Cougars played a fired-up game that saw both teams with chances to win in the final minutes before things ended in a 2-2 draw.
Lehigh Carbon started the game off throwing everything it could at the Mechanics. Williamson started off slowly and found themselves down 1-0 just 12 minutes into the game. The Mechanics then picked up their intensity level midway through the first half and Able to punch one through on a goal by Jonathan Illing, assisted by Zachary Bosak at the 38:15 mark. That is how things remained heading into the break.
The second half was not for anyone faint of heart-from either side-as both teams had multiple chance to score. Williamson head coach Peter Glowa decided to move Michael Hegarty into goal, after Nathan Meyers played well in the first half.
Again, the action heated up before Williamson would take the lead at the 59:01 mark on Illing's second goal of the game, at the 59:01 mark. The Cougars answered right back at the 60:00 mark and things were tied at 2-2.
Glowa's decision to move Hegarty into net proved to be the move of the game. Hegarty stopped two breakaways, had two key punchouts, and stopped numerous other point-blank shots to keep Williamson in the game the rest of the way. It was his play with five minutes left though that stands out the most. An infraction against Williamson in the box gave the Cougars a penalty kick, which Hegarty miraculously saved! The referee said however that he came off his mark too soon and they had to redo the kick. At this point, after having been denied once, the Cougar player taking the kick again was rattled enough his kick sailed over the cross bar and the score remained knotted at 2 apiece.
It was Williamson's turn to almost pull it out, as with under three minutes left, Illing broke free for a break away of his own but was denied as well. The action remained intense to the very last second before ending in a draw.
Williamson moves to 6-4-1 on the year and takes a step on Thursday, as they will host USCAA Division I traditional powerhouse Manor College in a 6:30 P.M. start.