On Nov. 5 in Elizabethtown Pa., the Elizabethtown Blue Jays faced off against the Scranton Royals in the Landmark Conference Championship match. There was a singular goal by Scranton, and that was the only goal that was scored the entire game. A lone goal from the first half held up as Scranton defeated Etown at Ira R. Herr Field. First-half substitute for the Royals Gavin Scavino netted the only goal of the game to help Scranton capture the conference title.

Scranton, with a record of 11 wins, 6 losses and 2 ties, limited the Blue Jays to only two first-half shots, one on goal that came off the foot of sophomore Pedro Guizardi in the 30th minute.

About six minutes later, and about a minute and a half after he entered the game, Scavino took a through ball from Seamus O’Keefe, a player for the Scranton Royals, and slid it toward goal. An Etown defender rushed to try and save it from going in but was unable as the Royals took the 1-0 lead in the 36th minute.

Earlier in the half, senior goalie Kelvin Del Cid made an acrobatic tip save on a free kick taken by Anthony Rizzi from about 20 yards out.

Etown, with a record of 8 wins, 6 losses and 5 ties, had their best chance in the second half, still trailing 1-0. Sophomore Hudson Peck’s in-swinging free kick eluded initial bodies and made it through the six-yard box, but a few Jays near the back post were unable to knock it into an open goal.

The Scranton defense once again limited the Etown attack, holding them to just a single shot and none after the 53rd minute.

The Royals were able to pin the Jays deep with time winding down and ran out the clock to take the championship game.

We wish the soccer team luck as they begin their practices and matches next season!