Coming back down from the high of winning the WPIAL Class 2A championship was a weird feeling for Deer Lakes keeper Wesley Boyle. The Lancers are excited to pursue a state championship, but they understand nothing about moving on in the PIAA playoffs is easy.
Peyton Kushon headed in a cross in the 12th minute to allow Deer Lakes to hold off District 10 runner-up Harbor Creek, 1-0, on Monday night in the first round of the state playoffs. This was Deer Lakes’ first win in the PIAA postseason since it beat Fairview, 3-0, in the semifinals Nov. 11, 2020.
“You feel like you are on top of the world one day, then you are back to work the next,” Boyle said. “It’s great to keep on playing, especially as a senior.”
Deer Lakes (18-3-1) will play District 3 runner-up Tuplehocken in the second round Saturday at a site and time to be determined. The Lancers were happy to have another crack at the Huskies.
When Deer Lakes last won the WPIAL, in 2022, the Lancers were escorted out in the first round of states when Harbor Creek beat them 2-1 at home.
Deer Lakes coach Aaron Smith said his senior-heavy team wanted to erase some of the memories from that defeat.
“They beat us in the first round at our house,” Smith said. “We remember what it felt like. We sure as heck weren’t going to let that happen again.”
The Lancers had some nervy moments early against Harbor Creek.
Deer Lakes struggled to connect passes out of the back early, and the Huskies had a corner kick eight minutes in. Scott Tuttle’s effort was picked out of the air by Boyle.
“It did take us a minute to get going,” Smith said. “No excuses. We started slow. We talked in warmups — we need to be the first team to get into our game.”
Jacob Orseno helped get Deer Lakes on the board by swinging a cross into the box. Kushon headed it into the back of the net.
“Winning the midfield and creating the chances in the final third was a big part of our victory,” Boyle said. “Our defense played out of their minds tonight.”
Harbor Creek coach John Parente said he thought the Huskies got their legs under them in the second half.
“We came out in the second half and possessed the ball better in the second half,” Parente said. “We took it to them in the second half in terms of pressure and playing in their end. It was a good game and a good effort.”
The Lancers had a few chances in the final 10 minutes to double their lead. Cuyler Crim’s header was batted away by Huskies keeper Hunter Phillis. Sam Dischner was able to corral a rebound by the goal line but couldn’t guide it past Phillis.
In the final 20 seconds, a Harbor Creek player was able to get his head on a shot then went on target, but Boyle was able to bring it in. Boyle finished with five saves.
“The last 20 seconds were a heart attack,” Smith said. “We had our chances, and we know that. It’s hard. At this level, it comes to a missed opportunity or a mistake. Thank goodness we have a senior-tested goalkeeper back there to make the saves he is supposed to make.”