Published: November 03, 2009 08:14 am      

Windber upends Bedford in District 5 soccer

DAVIDSVILLE — Windber controlled the action for almost all of its District 5 girls soccer semifinal with Bedford on Monday, but the Ramblers couldn’t score until the final minutes of each half.

Amber Wozny and Aly Strapple each had a goal and an assist as Windber beat Bedford 3-1 to advance to the District 5 championship game, where the third-seeded Ramblers will face top-seeded Conemaugh Township.

“We’re just delighted to be here,” Windber coach John Wozny said. “Bedford is a good team. We knew we’d be in for a good game, and it was.”

Amber Wozny drew a foul in the box in the 36th minute and then converted the resulting penalty kick. Her shot to the left side of the net beat Bedford goalkeeper Crystal Dibert.

Strapple gave Windber (15-4) a 2-0 lead with 10 seconds remaining in the first half, scoring on an assist from Amber Wozny.

“Huge, just huge,” Coach Wozny said of the late goal.

The reason Strapple’s goal was so important was because Bedford scored with 10 minutes left in the game. Keisha Sigler beat Windber keeper Katie Bango to the lower left corner with off an assist from Kelly Beegle.

“I told our girls, if we’re going to end our season, this is the way to end it – by playing hard,” Bedford coach Barrett Schrock said.

The Bisons (10-10), who had upset second-seeded Berlin in the first round, had a chance to tie the game two minutes later, but Beegle pushed a shot wide of the net.

That was one of the few scoring opportunities for the Bisons, who put only three shots on net and did not have a corner kick, compared with eight for the Ramblers.

“Our defense was excellent,” Coach Wozny said of Rachelle Lint, Tonya Bibby, Brooke Schreyer and Tess Weaver.

Ambra Rowles put the game away in the 76th minute, scoring off a cross from Strapple.

“Both teams played real hard,” Schrock said. “Windber has a real nice team.

Dibert, who is Bedford’s lone senior, made eight saves in the loss.

“She’s played fantastic all year,” Schrock said.

He was also impressed with how freshman defender Carrie Baker played Amber Wozny one-on-one.

“I thought they matched up very well,” he said.

Windber will play Conemaugh Township at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Berlin.