MILL HALL–The last six meetings between Central Mountain and Jersey Shore were decided by a goal or less. The mid-season match between the two in the rain at Malinak Stadium on Tuesday night was no different as Jersey Shore won, 2-1.

Junior Connor Cornelius’ goal for the Bulldogs at 71 minutes, 50 seconds put Jersey Shore ahead and secured its third win.

During Tuesday’s match, the first between the two schools this season, the ball moved fast across the artificial turf. The stadium’s brand-new surface was slick, and players had trouble finding their balance.

Jersey Shore controlled the tempo of the match throughout the opening half. The Bulldogs out-shot the Wildcats, 13-2. Jersey Shore scored first when Breck Miller found a hole in Central Mountain’s back line. The sophomore forward lofted a ball into the net in the eighth minute to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats responded and tied the game at 1 when Central Mountain’s leading scorer, Nate Brinker, scored at 22:02.

During the first 20 minutes of the final half, both Jersey Shore and Central Mountain’s defenders gave the opposing teams difficultiesl keeping the ball toward the midfield.

Then, in the 72nd minute, Central Mountain was called for a back-pass when a Wildcat defender kicked it to goalkeeper Kelvin Probst who then picked up the ball.

The call gave Jersey Shore penalty kick and Cornelius took advantage, scoring the winning goal.

The Wildcats had two decent looks at a goal with just 30 seconds remaining after a Bulldogs player was assessed a yellow card. Both attempts were batted away and Jersey Shore hung on for the victory.

“All credit goes to Jersey Shore on their win,” Wildcats coach Billy Hook said. “That was our best game yet, finally played well while also working very hard.”

Looking ahead, Central Mountain hosts Danville on Monday.

Jersey Shore 2,

Central Mountain 1

JS–Miller,7:29; CM–Brinker, 22:02; JS–Cornelius, 71:50.

Shots: Jersey Shore 26, Central Mountain 4. Saves: Jersey Shore 2, Central Mountain 17.

Records: Jersey Shore (3-2-1); Central Mountain (2-5-1).