Fleetwood’s district soccer run stopped by top-seeded Hershey

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

HERSHEY >> Someday in the future, whenever this Fleetwood season is remembered, one player will be referred to by one name.

Everyone will know who you mean. The senior captain. The center mid. The rising tide who lifted all boats.

Malachi Herndon is just Chi. That last syllable is enough.

“If you’re down, he’ll pick you up,” teammate Davin Millisock said. “If the team needs energy, he’s got the energy. He’s always there for the team.”

Fleetwood’s magical postseason ran into its first roadblock Monday night. The fourth-seeded Tigers fell to No. 1 Hershey 1-0 in the District 3 Class 3A boys soccer semifinals.

For the first time in six playoff outings, Fleetwood’s players walked off the field with an empty feeling. They’ll get another chance in the PIAA Tournament.

It would have been easy for Herndon to look around during his team’s first practice in August and feel concerned. Bummed even. There were only six seniors and even fewer returning starters. There was a chance the next few months could be a struggle.

Instead, they’ve been a revelation. Fleetwood (17-6) won the county championship and two district games. A potential state run is waiting for the Tigers.

“This is one of the teams where we haven’t had many All-Stars,” Herndon said. “We haven’t relied on anybody. It’s just one solid team. That’s why we’re good.”

Herndon was named All-State by the league’s coaches. His three seasons on Fleetwood’s varsity have been a testament to his versatility. A forward as a sophomore, a back as a junior and now settling in the middle.

The senior doesn’t mind. He’ll play anywhere. He’ll play goalie if he’s asked.

“He works hard, he wins tackles, he runs non-stop,” Fleetwood coach Keith Schlegel said. “He wins 50-50 balls like crazy. He tries to make things happen. He’s a good kid. You can’t ask for anything more.”

Watch enough games and stand on the sideline during enough frigid nights and you can recognize a great teammate. He stands out as if there’s a spotlight shining on him.

After Fleetwood defeated Exeter in the Berks final, Herndon talked up everyone he could. Josh Candelario, who scored the go-ahead goal that night. William Maurek, the forward who became the starting keeper. Mitch Barr, the keeper who got injured. They all got shout-outs.

One reason Fleetwood has exceeded expectations is its leadership. Herndon is joined by fellow captains Ryan Piskorski, an All-Berks back, Oscar Flores and Jayson Brey.

“All of our teams are tight,” Schlegel said. “But I think this team might be tighter than we’ve had in a long time.”

Hershey (17-2-1) is the district favorite and a state contender. The Trojans will play Palmyra for gold Thursday night. They broke through when Ben Zimmer’s cross was headed home by Stefan Verbeek midway through the first half.

It was hard for Fleetwood to be too upset about the loss. Hershey produced 10 corners and didn’t give up anything on defense in the run of play. It was a tip-your-cap kind of game.

“Hershey did a lot of good stuff tonight,” Schlegel said. “We had guys do the right thing and that last ball was just bad. We’ve got to straighten it out. Hopefully make better passes the next game we play.”

There were some flickers of hope. Herndon’s throw-in found the turf just outside the right post with 13 minutes left. Owen Shoemaker’s corner found Millisock at the top of the box but his shot slammed into a defender with three minutes left.

The last, best chance was in the closing seconds. Another Shoemaker corner was headed by Cary Ploshay right into the arms of keeper Justin Rogers.

“I thought that corner was going to be a quick spark,” Herndon said. “Take it to OT. It was unlucky. It was a couple of inches too short or it would have chipped the keeper. It happens.”

Fleetwood rode three one-goal victories to the Berks title. It knocked out Garden Spot and Lower Dauphin in the first two rounds. The Tigers couldn’t find the one play they needed this time.

Next up is states as either the third- or fourth-place team from District 3 depending on who wins the championship game. Herndon and his fellow captains will make sure everyone is ready.

“This is really a lot of fun,” Herndon said. “Win, loss, or tie, after every game everybody is over it. Everyone moves on. It’s great. I love it.”

A rebuilding season has turned into a championship season at Fleetwood.

One that will be remembered.