Bullets, shooting for a little respect, are on target at Wyomissing

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

If there was any lingering doubt, this result should remove it. Brandywine Heights is going to be a factor in Berks boys soccer this season.

The Bullets traveled to Flannery Field and handed Berks III-leading Wyomissing its first league loss Tuesday.

Jaeger Smeltz and Spencer Miller scored in the first half and Brandywine held on for a 2-1 crossover victory. The Bullets have won four in a row and lead the county with 35 goals.

“If we wanted any recognition, this had to be the game,” Miller said. “This is the team we’ve got to beat to get our name out there.”

The road to this point started with a bus ride 11 months ago. It was a long trip home from Antietam following last year’s season-ending loss.

Miller looked around and saw how hard everyone was taking the defeat. That’s when he realized this season could be different. The talent was there. So was the motivation.

“Everyone just stared out their windows,” Miller said. “I remember getting off the bus and saying, ‘We don’t want to feel that again.’ That’s where we left it.”

Miller, who has five goals and four assists, is the team’s quarterback in the center midfield and its emotional leader. He talks constantly during games, trying to find ways to fire up his mates.

Brandywine coach Jason Miller said his nephew is playing like a man possessed. As one of only two seniors in the starting lineup, there’s a sense of urgency. It’s now or never.

“What he does on this field, the other coaches watching him have to say he’s our best player,” Jason Miller said. “I’m not going to be happy if he’s not all-county. That’ll be the last meeting I go to.”

Brandywine caught Wyomissing (4-1-1 Berks III, 6-3-1) at the right time. The Spartans played Tulpehocken to a double-overtime draw Monday night. It was a quick turnaround for Tuesday’s 4 p.m. start. They were also without Brandon Vargo, one of their top players.

There was a glimmer of hope for Wyo in the second half when Brady Kuhn made a slick pass to Bennett Hopler for a goal with 30 minutes left. It was Hopler’s ninth of the season.

The comeback failed to build any momentum. Brandywine had the better chances in the closing 20 minutes.

Brandywine doesn’t much resemble a Berks IV team. The Bullets are loaded with size and speed. Owen Lichtenwalner is a force at striker with six goals. Josh Sterner has five and Joe Crist has four.

“I’m not saying we’re going to win counties or anything but somebody is going to have to play hard to beat us,” Jason Miller said. “We’re no longer the team that when we pull in, the other team says, ‘Who’s getting their hat trick?’”

Brandywine (5-0 Berks IV, 7-2) is trying to reach the postseason for the first time since 2011. That seems like a foregone conclusion at this point.

No one knows the program’s recent struggles better than Spencer Miller, who has been around the team since he was about four years old. No one wants to change that history more.

“Growing up there weren’t many wins,” Miller said. “There were low numbers. When I went, not everyone was there to work. That’s the difference with this team. When you come to practice you’re there to work, not screw around.”

Spencer Miller spends a lot of time researching results and checking the standings. He likes what he sees these days. The Bullets are running away with the division and are in the Top 10 in the District 3 Class 2A power ratings.

Entering play Tuesday, the team one spot ahead of Brandywine was Wyomissing.

“That’s a huge win for us,” Jason Miller said. “The way this team can play, we can compete with anybody. It’s exciting. I can’t say enough about these kids.”