PENN STATERS IN THE NFL Mauti’s big hit draws praise

Fed to continue to taper

First Posted: 10/9/2014 KINGSTON &#8211; It&#8217;s almost become routine for the Coughlin girls soccer team &#8211; start off shaky, finish with authority.
The Crusaders won their ninth straight game Thursday with a 4-0 victory over Wyoming Valley West as the District 2 playoff picture begins to take shape.
Coughlin started the season with a draw to Holy Redeemer and a 4-2 loss to Dallas. Since then, the Crusaders have eight clean sheets in nine games; only Lake-Lehman&#8217;s two goals have blemished their defense.
&#8220;That&#8217;s how we coach them,&#8221; Coughlin coach Joe Spagnuolo Jr. said. &#8220;We want them to peak at the right time. We want to introduce our style of play, how we&#8217;re going to approach the ball. Everything is evolving. By mid-season is when we want to go.&#8221;
Mary Tona and Bre Georgetti both scored two goals for the Crusaders. Emma Sukowaski provided an assist on two scores.
With the Coughlin attack at its greatest strength, Tona received a Sukowaski feed at her feet in the 19th minute. Tona drove forward and slotted the ball into the back post for the first goal.
Georgetti added a pair to increase the Crusader lead to three. In the 32nd minute, she raced and beat defenders to the right post where she shoveled the ball between the keeper and the frame. Fifteen minutes later in the second half, Georgetti sneaked between two Spartan defenders and poked it into goal.
&#8220;Bre is one of our unsung heroes,&#8221; Spagnuolo said. &#8220;In a big game, she comes through for us. Other times, she&#8217;ll be lost. But in big games when we need her, she really steps up.&#8221;
Coughlin received help from Hailee Dumont, whose energy and speed flustered the Spartan midfield corps.
&#8220;She&#8217;s a workhorse up there,&#8221; Spagnuolo said. &#8220;She doesn&#8217;t get the goals. But Mary wouldn&#8217;t get many of hers she gets if it wasn&#8217;t for Hailee.&#8221;
With one game left versus Tunkhannock on its regular season schedule, Coughlin should expect a three or four seed, depending on the Scranton Prep-Abington Heights results, heading into the District 2 Class 2A playoffs in two weeks.
&#8220;They&#8217;re playing as a team,&#8221; Spagnuolo said. &#8220;We&#8217;re not locking girls into positions. We&#8217;re letting them roam the field. Once they figured out how to do that, they&#8217;re more productive.&#8221;
Paige Davis earned the shutout with four saves. Wyoming Valley West goalkeeper Paige Heckman had nine stops.
Coughlin 4, Wyoming Valley West 0
Coughlin`2`2`&#8212;`4
Wyoming Valley West`0`0`&#8212;`0
First half &#8212; 1. COU, Mary Tona (Emma Sukowoski), 19th minute; 2. COU, Bre Georgetti, 32nd. Second half &#8212; 3. COU, Georgetti (Sukowoski), 47th; 4. COU, Tona, 57th.
Shots &#8212; COU 13; WVW 4. Saves &#8212; COU 4 (Paige Davis); WVW 9 (Paige Heckman). Corner kicks &#8212; COU 4; WVW 1.&#8203;

Crusaders win 9th straight