In an intense District XI Boys Soccer Class 1A quarterfinal matchup, the Minersville Battlin' Miners secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Williams Valley Vikings.
The game, played on a neutral field at North Schuylkill, saw Bowers net a hat trick, leading his team to the Class 1A semifinal.
Minersville struck first with just over 18 minutes remaining in the first half when Bowers found the back of the net, putting the Battlin' Miners up 1-0. Williams Valley, however, would respond before halftime. With only 1:57 left on the clock, Williams Valley’s Ethan Lebo, scored the equalizer, sending both teams into the break tied at 1-1.
The second half continued the back-and-forth intensity. Less than three minutes into the half, Bowers struck again, reclaiming the lead for Minersville, 2-1. Williams Valley was not ready to back down, and with just under 23 minutes remaining, their Cody Boehmer scored, tying the game once again at 2-2.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed as though the game might head into extra time, but with just 2:23 remaining, Bowers completed his hat trick on a direct kick, sealing a 3-2 victory for Minersville.
With this win, the Battlin' Miners advance to the Class 1A semifinal, where they will face Tri-Valley on Thursday evening at Blue Mountain. The game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
