Shaulis guides ‘Star to finals

LOYSBURG – Winston Shaulis proved valuable on both ends of the field during North Star’s 2-1 win over Fannett-Metal on Tuesday night in the District 5 Class A semifinal at Northern Bedford High School.

Shaulis started the game in goal for the Cougars (13-7) and ended it there, but in between he scored the game-winning goal to send his team to Thursday night’s championship game with Rockwood.

“He’s our leading goal-scorer this year,” North Star coach Sam Zimmerman said. “To have him in goal hurts, but he’s probably one of the best keepers in the district.”

After Fannett-Metal’s Dakota Bair beat Shaulis in the 51st minute, Zimmerman knew he had to put Shaulis in a position to score. But before Shaulis could enter the game as a forwad, Zach Roberts scored to tie the game.

“The kids stuck together all season,” Zimmerman said. “We have yet to be shut out this season. We don’t always score a lot of goals, but we haven’t been shut out. We knew we weren’t out of it.”

Shaulis, who was replaced in goal by Jordan Zimmerman, scored the game-winner with less than 14 minutes remaining.

“When we scored the tying goal, we caught fire,” Coach Zimmerman said. “They had gone into a preventative-type defense.”

Shaulis was just as impressive in goal, making 10 saves in the win.

Bedford 1, Westmont 0

BEDFORD – After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, Bedford used shootout goals from Morgan Myslinski, Drew Bollman, Connor Baer and Cory Thomas along with strong play in net by Kevin Dudek to top Westmont Hilltop 1-0 in the District 5-6 Class AA semifinals. The Bisons won 4-3 in the shootout round.

“I know penalty kicks come down to luck sometimes and we lucked out with a Westmont kid hitting one off the post,” Bedford coach Tom Otis said. “Our goalkeeper (Dudek) was solid all night and made an incredible save in the shootout.”

Bedford (18-1-1) will face defending 5/6-AA champion Lewistown in Thursday’s championship.