With a close-up view, Keanan Wilson had to know.
So even before his effort rolled into the back of the net several feet away, the Carlisle senior’s hands shot triumphantly into the autumn air, triggering an euphoric goal-scoring celebration.
Several ticklish moments later, after side-stepping a last-ditch Lower Dauphin thrust that had everyone on both Hersheypark Stadium benches twisting with every threatening touch, Wilson and his Thundering Herd teammates were uncorking yet another jubilant display.
And understandably so.
Wilson’s finish with 3:08 to play — along with an early Josh Clippinger goal and two saves from Christian Pavlovich — carried the Thundering Herd to a 2-1 triumph in the last of three District 3-AAA quarterfinal-round boys’ soccer contests Saturday afternoon.
By locking up its eighth victory in nine games, Brandon Eiserman’s Herd (12-8-1) earned a return ticket to Hersheypark Stadium for Tuesday night’s semifinals. Awaiting Carlisle — unless Hurricane Sandy says otherwise — will be neighborhood rival Cumberland Valley.
Nick Sincavage bagged the lone goal for LD (16-5).
While Sincavage yanked the Falcons into a 1-all deadlock with 13:16 to play, the feisty LD sophomore nearly popped Lynch’s club in front seven minutes later. His headball skimmed just over the crossbar, however, keeping a tight game tight and those in the seats restless.
Once the 6-7 Clippinger claimed a 50-50 ball in the midfield and sprayed it forward to Gabe Stasyszyn, Carlisle’s game-winning counter was in full motion as Stasyszyn promptly split LD’s backfield with a slick through ball that put Wilson in on Falcons keeper Collin Long (1 save).
"That was a perfect ball," Wilson said of Stasyszyn's dish. "The one kid went up for it and when it went over his foot, I'm like, 'I'm in. All I've got to do is finish this and slide it into the side netting.'`"
One well-placed pop later, Wilson’s arms shot skyward.
“I was just so pumped up,” Wilson said. “I saw it go under his hand — I don’t know if I celebrated before that or not — but I was just so excited. I just turned around and jumped up.”
“Keanan’s been playing great lately,” Eiserman added. “He’s finishing the opportunities that he’s getting. He was celebrating before that ball was even in the net, he’s got that much confidence right now.”
All of the Herd — 3-AAA’s 19th seed — does.
“Our goal at the beginning [of the season] was to get to districts, that was our goal,” Wilson said. “It was to get to districts and now we have a chance to get to states. It’s incredible.”
Nonetheless, LD had a terrific chance to equalize in the final 90 seconds or so, as the ball bounced loose in the Carlisle penalty area. Since no one got a clean pop, the Herd’s lead was safe.
So was its spot in Tuesday’s semis.
“So many bodies in and around there,” Lynch said. “What can I say? I’m proud of the guys because they really overachieved. All year, they never quit. They never gave up on any game.”
And Carlisle never gave up on a season that started had Eiserman's Herd sitting 4-7-1 with a half-dozen scraps to go. Now, with a win over CV, a trip to the state tournament belongs to the guys in green.
"It's gonna be a battle," said Wilson of a split two-game series that's featured a pair of 1-0 overtime duels.
"Really, it's gonna come down to whoever wants it more."
"This is one of those going in where we've actually beaten them, so the confidence is there," said Eiserman, whose program last reached the 3-AAA semis in 2008. "I know they'll be fired up. It's exciting any time you get to play Cumberland Valley. It's fun.
"In districts, it'll be even more exciting."