Lady Little Lions fall in tennis final

From CDT staff reports

HOLLIDAYSBURG — State College’s hopes of capturing a District 6 Class AAA team tennis title ended with a 3-2 loss to Hollidaysburg in a four-hour match staged Wednesday.

The teams split two three-set matches, with State College earning a critical point from the No. 2 doubles team of Kelly DiMuccio and Becca Rountree, who defeated Mindy Hayton and Jessilyn Stoltz 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

The final match off the court was a thrilling No. 2 singles tangle between State College sophomore Cara Rangaswamy and Hollidaysburg senior Natalie Khalouf. After dropping the first set, Rangaswamy rallied from a 5-2 deficit to take the second set in a tiebreaker. Rangaswamy took a 5-2 lead in the third, but Khalouf raillied to complete a 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (3) victory, giving the Lady Golden Tigers the decisive team point.

“I thought Cara played so well,” State College coach Jane Borden said. “She put her whole heart and soul into the match. It’s tough when it’s riding on whether you win or not. She’s such a young kid and she handled it so well and with so much class.”

State College received its other victory at No. 1 singles, where two-time district champion Corinne Jones breezed past Anisa Khalouf 6-1, 6-1. Hollidaysburg’s Megan Betwy defeated Desiree Dennis 6-2, 6-3 at No. 3 singles and the Lady Golden Tigers’ No. 1 doubles team of Maria Turiano and Susie Ellis defeated Jenna Maxfield and Maria DiMuccio 6-3, 6-3.

State College, which lost to Hollidaysburg 7-0 and 5-2 earlier this year, finishes the team portion of its season 9-7.

“We played a great match,” Borden said. “It’s always tough to end a season with a loss, but everybody does unless you’re the state champion.”

GIRL'S GOLF

Jackson makes field for PIAA meet

BLAIRSVILLE — State College junior Sara Jackson qualified for the PIAA championships after finishing in a tie for sixth place at the PIAA West Region Golf Championships at Tom’s Run Golf Course on Wednesday.

Jackson fired a 12-over 84, carding a pair of birdies on two front-nine par-5’s, to land a spot at the state championship meet at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York next Monday and Tuesday.

Shady Side Academy’s Kendall Allen walked away with the individual title with a 4-over 76, leading the Indians to the team title with a 360 total. Erie McDowell took second at 363 to take the other team berth at the state meet.

The Lady Little Lions finished third as a team at 393, with Christine Hughes posting a 96, Maura Handte a 100 and Allison Brackbill a 113.

BOY'S SOCCER

State College blanks Clearfield

CLEARFIELD — Playing its third game in three days, a tired State College team was still too much for Clearfield as the Little Lions rolled to a 3-0 win over the Bison on Wednesday.

Kelton Cheney, Robbie Edwards and David Trunzo each scored for the Little Lions, who concluded their regular season with an 11-4-1 mark. Jake Langton added an assist while keeper Greg Payne made two saves.

“The legs were tired, but we got the job done,” said State College coach John Marsden, whose team has off until early November. “It was a good all-around effort and we got the shutout. Now we can concentrate on preparing for the playoffs.”

Gassman, Boumerhi lead P-O to win

PHILIPSBURG — Karl Gassman and Alex Boumerhi each scored twice and assisted on another goal as Philipsburg-Osceola dropped Curwensville 5-1 Wednesday evening.

Gassman and Taylor Golemboski scored 1:55 apart late in the first half to give the Mounties a solid footing. Wayne Davis and Nate Horner picked up assists for the Mounties (2-15) while Josh Cowher made four saves in the non-league contest.

“It was nice to step out of our league,” P-O coach Brian Fenton said. “The Mountain League is so strong top to bottom. It was a nice change of pace for us.”

Penns Valley knocks off Tyrone

TYRONE — A quick response to a goal helped Penns Valley drop Tyrone 4-1 Wednesday.

Tyler Silks put the Rams ahead early with a goal from Stefan Kelly, but the Eagles tied the game on a Deryk Montgomery penalty kick. Just 1:02 later, John Downie put Penns Valley ahead for good with his score.

Anthony Glossner and Evan Gover each added second-half goals for insurance, with Glossner and Downie picking up assists and Nate Sweeley stopping nine shots in goal.

GIRL'S VOLLEYBALL

State College sweepsaway Hollidaysburg

STATE COLLEGE — State College honored its seniors in style with a 25-12, 25-13, 25-11 sweep on Hollidaysburg on Wednesday.

Alli Fleagle led the Lady Little Lions with 18 assists and five aces. Becca Holland and Kelsey Kirsch each had seven kills. Kirsch also had a team-high eight digs.

State College will next play in the District 6 Class AAA playoffs at a site and time to be determined.

FIELD HOCKEY

State College edges Forbes Road

WATERFALL — Brenna Boehman scored 11:21 into the second half to give State College a 1-0 victory against Forbes Road in the Lady Little Lions’ regular-season finale on Wednesday.

Boehman took an excellent crossing pass from Carolyn King at the right post and beat the Forbes Road keeper.

State College keeper Lyuda Likhonia saved three shots, including two tough ones, and was aided by oustanding play from Tori Patrick in posting the shutout.

The Lady Little Lions (14-4) will next face the District 7 champion in a PIAA play-in game at a date and site to be determined.