Falcon soccer team showing improvement

Youth and inexperience have made the 2007 high school soccer season a learning experience for Coudersport.

Most of the games have been close and the experience gained by a squad that consists largely of underclassmen bodes well for 2008 and beyond.

Coudersport took Smethport into overtime after an hourlong thunderstorm delay, but ended up dropping a 3-2 decision on the Hubber field Thursday night. Falcon goals were scored by junior Devin Matzinger and freshman Chris Long. Cooper Bonczar, also a freshman, had 13 saves in goal. Jared Schram had an assist.

"Coach (Brian) Empson has his team playing hard," said Hubber coach Bruce Nelson. "They tied us in the second half after our fast start. We were lucky to get the game-winner off the foot of Levi Lewis, thanks to an assist by Bryan Nelson."

Perennial District 9 power Kane (6-1) had too much offense for the visiting Falcons in last Saturday's game.

Alex Renn and Schram each scored for Coudersport (2-6-1), but the Wolves got a pair of goals each from Dan Moore and Todd Long in a 6-2 triumph. Bonczar had 13 saves for the Falcons.

Coudersport travels to Port Allegany on Monday (4 p.m.), followed by a trip to Brockway on Wednesday (6:00).