WAYNESBORO – The Waynesboro Indians varsity soccer team has had a rough go of it offensively so far this season.
With the exception of a 5-1 win over Mifflin County on Sept. 6, the Indians have been outscored by a combined 15-3, including a 3-1 loss to Greencastle-Antrim on Saturday at Buchanan Automotive Stadium.
“We’re struggling,” said Waynesboro head coach Brian Stum. “We have a couple injuries. We have a starter out with a concussion, another with three rods in his leg.
“We’re just not strong. You combine all that, it doesn’t give you a good winning percentage.”
The degree to which Waynesboro is struggling isn’t the norm for the boys’ soccer program. But Stum, an accomplished player himself in the 1980s at Waynesboro High School, is trying to keep his chin up and looking to the intangibles moving forward.
“Just keeping them motivated and playing hard each and every day – understand that even though we have the amount of defeats we have, you can’t walk into a game already thinking you’re defeated,” said Stum of his coaching approach as the Indians prepare for games against Mechanicsburg (Tuesday) and Palmyra (Thursday) this week. “I’m just trying to keep that positive attitude within the ranks.”
Greencastle-Antrim scored the first three goals, but it was Waynesboro that had the first shots on goal of the game in the fifth minute. Riley Krom got off a decent shot, but it was a relatively easy save, as it was directly at goalkeeper Ethan Ford. Will Boltz had the next scoring opportunity a minute later, before the Blue Devils began to step up their offensive pressure led by Garrett Decker.
The Indians were called for a foul that gave G-A a penalty kick and a 1-0 lead at 21:31 of the first half.
The Blue Devils led 2-0 four minutes later when Caleb Baine found the back of the net with 17:26 left in the first 40 minutes.
Waynesboro’s hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed when the Blue Devils scored for the third time in the game just 1:06 into the second half. Chase Davidson scored on a header following a corner kick by Ewan Coy to make it 3-0.
“We’re not even halfway through our season and we’ve already given up more goals than I’ve ever given up in a season. So, it’s been very difficult – challenging, it’s been very challenging.”
The Indians never stopped trying to get some kind of offense going despite the three-goal deficit.
Nik Sanders scored with 12:24 left in the game, but it was a little too little and too late for a rally.
“I think we brought another level of hustle (in the second half),” said Stum. “I think in the first half we played very lethargic. We talked about that at halftime. But when you combine a lower skill level and no hustle, the percentage is not going to work out in your favor.”
