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Two second-half goals push Hill-Murray boys past Simley

By Dominic Davis, SportsEngine, 09/26/19, 12:30PM CDT

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Roberty Witzany and Brendan Bonin each scored for the Pioneers, who remain unbeaten in conference play.


Hill-Murray forward Robert Witzany (14) scored the Pioneers' eventual game-winning goal in the second half Thursday at Simley. The Pioneers beat the Spartans 2-1 in a Metro East Conference showdown. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine


Brendan Bonin (4) scored the first of Hill Murray's two second-half goals that lifted the Pioneers past Simley 2-1 Thursday night. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

At halftime on Thursday, Simley, ranked No. 8 in the Class 1A state coaches’ poll, seemed to have a hold on Hill-Murray. The Pioneers were out of sync and weren’t able to test Spartan keeper Ben Hatcher forcing him into only one save in the first half.

Then, after halftime, there was a noticeable change in Hill-Murray’s play. The Pioneers (7-1-4, 5-0-1) became more comfortable and started asserting their style as time went off the clock. When Brendan Bonin scored the Pioneers’ first goal, it sparked energy and confidence into the team.

Moments after leveling the match at 1-1, Robert Witzany smashed a shot in the back of the net, pushing Hill-Murray into a lead it never relinquished. Hill-Murray beat Simley 2-1 on Thursday.


Simley goalkeeper Ben Hatcher was solid in the first half of Thursday night's game against Hill-Murray. The Pioneers later found a way to get two past Hatcher, beating the Spartans 2-1. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

First report

Hill-Murray scored two rapid goals in the second half Thursday, beating Simley, ranked No. 8 in the Class 1A state coaches’ poll, 2-1 at Simley High School.

Down 1-0, Hill-Murray’s Brendan Bonin scored the Pioneers’ first goal with 23:50 remaining in the second half to tie the game at 1-1. About 36 seconds later, Robert Witzany fired the eventual game-winner.

While both sides struggled to maintain possession early in the match, Andrew Jeffers scored a goal off a rebound to give the Spartans (10-1-1, 3-1-1) an early lead. Hill-Murray’s only attempt on target in the first half was stopped by Simley goalkeeper Ben Hatcher, who finished with three saves.

Pioneers goalie Fisher Hoy held the back line together when possible making three of his four saves in the first half. His backstopping efforts helped keep Hill-Murray (7-1-4, 5-0-1) in the game, and the Pioneers found their footing in the second half.

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