WYALUSING — There was plenty of high drama behind the elementary at Wyalusing as the Rams saw Moses Metcalf score with less than a minute to go to beat Troy, 4-3, for their program's first win since 2006 during NTL boys' soccer action Thursday.

"We thought this was our one big chance," Metcalf said after the game. "This team was more like our skill level so I was really excited."

Metcalf finished with a hat trick as keeper Ryland Kipp had the fourth goal. Ethan Hoffmann, Landon Lee, and Eya Heasley had the three Trojan goals, with Lee and Eli Watson each getting an assist.

Both teams were winless coming in as they've had tough starts to the season. The Rams certainly had a gauntlet early this year with Wellsboro, at Galeton, and Athens among their first three games.

So, for coach Jeff Homer to see his team persevere and pull out the restarted program's first win, it meant a lot.

"It feels wonderful," Homer said. "It's a big win for the program, especially after some of our earlier losses."

For Troy coach Dane Seeley, he was glad to see his guys compete all the way to the end. At one point they were down 3-1 and rallied to tie it late.

"It was a wonderful rally," said Seeley. "It was a great game of soccer. Regardless of what the boys think, it was a very good game."

Troy has been hampered by injuries as of late, including to their goal-keeper, so they moved Landon Lee back there.

"He hasn't batted an eye lash to be put in any position that we've asked him to be in," said Seeley. "He's willing, he's certainly fulfilling that leadership role that I wanted him to fill this year."

That left Ethan Hoffmann out in the field to drive the Trojan offense, with Wyalusing's Jackson Fischer hounding him all game long.

"It's a new tactic for us, but it's a testament to (Hoffmann)," said Homer. "He's a heck of a player, and he sort of stands alone, so just for Jack to be able to keep up with him, and mark him for the whole game, he did a great job."

Right off the bat Troy tested Wyalusing's defense as they earned a free kick just outside the box. The ensuing shot was deflected at the last minute by a diving Kipp, and that kind of set the tone for the first half - plenty of offensive opportunities but both keepers - Kipp and Lee - were stone walls back there.

At the half the Wyalusing coaches made it a point to keep pressing the Trojan defense.

That pressure paid off with a Metcalf goal at the 36:33 mark of the second half off a breakaway.

"I felt like I could actually score," Metcalf said about the moment. 

The Trojans answered back when Hoffmann dribbled through several defenders into the box and beat the keeper with 28:55 on the clock.

A little over 10 minutes later Metcalf got his second off a rebound to make it 2-1 Rams.

Then with 8:10 left in the game a long Kipp punt got past the defense, with the Troy goalie mis-judging the bounce. The ball got past him and into the right side of the net for the 3-1 lead.

"This is Ryland's first year playing, and first year as a keeper," remarked Homer. "He's got a heck of a foot, so we'll take him wherever we can get him."

Troy pulled out all the stops rally as they had brought Lee out of goal to put him in the field. He responded immediately with a goal, beating Kipp near post to make it 3-2 with 5:54 left in the match.

Then with 2:04 to play a save from Kipp rebounded to Heasley, who headed it in for the equalizer. 

That set up the fireworks in the final minute as Wyalusing got it deep in the Troy end. The Trojan defensive backs were able to keep the Rams from getting a clean look, until a bad clear attempt found its way to Metcalf's foot, and he punched it home with 48 seconds left for the game winner.

Homer was impressed with how his team kept their heads despite Troy tying up the match.

"We've had all season to practice keeping our heads up, so that's one thing we're pretty good at is just keeping a positive attitude," he said. 

Kipp finished 13 saves for Wyalusing as they had 25 shots and six corner kicks. Lee had nine saves for Troy before moving out to the field, with Watson getting a save in the final 20 minutes in goal.

Troy had 18 shots and eight corner kicks.

For the Trojans Seeley sees this as a step in the right direction, but wants to work on conditioning and composure for their next meeting in East Troy.

For coach Homer, he was glad that his team was able to experience a soccer game like this.

"Troy was a great opponent, and it was an exceptionally exciting game of soccer between the two teams," he said.

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