The Tyrone boys’ soccer team qualified for the District 6 AAA Championship game with a thrilling 3-2 win in double overtime against Bellefonte in the semi-finals on Thursday in Bellefonte.
Tyrone’s comeback came from goals by Miles Smearman and Tytus Novak to tie the game in the second half, and a Grant Miller penalty kick to win it in the second overtime.
Tyrone entered the match as a third-seed underdog with a 12-6 record. The second-seeded Red Raiders had a 15-3 record, including a 4-1 win over Tyrone on October 1 in their regular-season match in Tyrone.
The first half started with the Tyrone boys controlling the tempo. Bellefonte had very few chances on net while Tyrone questioned their backline.
With eight minutes left, Bellefonte scored a shot from the top of the eighteen and led 1-0 at the end of the first half.
Bellefonte capitalized on a corner early in the second half and increased their lead to 2-0.
However, Tyrone did not give up, and at the 30-minute mark, Tytus Novak played a deep ball over the top from Tyrone’s half into Bellefonte’s half. Miles Smearman controlled the ball and passed the ball around the goalkeeper to cut Bellefonte’s lead to 2-1.
Tyrone turned the momentum, and after several chances, Novak tied the game with just three minutes remaining. The ball deflected off forward Gavin Tuskovich on a cross, and Novak connected to score.
Regulation ended in a 2-2 tie, and the teams headed into sudden-death overtime.
The first overtime ended with neither team scoring.
Tyrone held control of the second overtime but could not score until Noah Gulvas got fouled within Bellefonte’s 18.
The game presented a goal-scoring opportunity that could move Tyrone into the championship.
Junior Grant Miller took the penalty kick for the Golden Eagles and scored in the lower left corner for the 3-2 win.
The Golden Eagles will play today at Philipsburg at 8 pm for the District 6 AAA championship game against Hollidaysburg.
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