After one half of scoreless ball, the Red Raiders appeared ready to make those hopes a reality. They started the second half of an even affair controlling the narrative and firing off shots, shots that steadily grew closer to connecting as the half approached its 20-minute mark.

However, the Golden Tiger backline would hold, putting the pressure on Bellefonte’s to do the same. And eventually, that dam would break.

Hollidaysburg made the most of a corner opportunity midway through the second, with Sage Capone finding a shot amidst its chaos and delivering to put the Golden Tigers on the board first. As much as the Red Raiders fought, that goal would hold as the game’s only score, as they fell, 1-0, to close out a strong campaign one win short of states.

While it wasn’t the result they wanted, it was a game that reflected how much the squad had grown throughout the season, as it overcame an early slump and really hit its stride through October. In the process, Bellefonte surpassed ten wins and advanced past district semifinals for the third straight year, with promise in store for its future to continue that streak.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Hollidaysburg hoists the 2025 District 6 Class AAA championship plaque after defeating Bellefonte, 1-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at Mountie Field.

“We struggled, had four losses in a row this season, and I think we overcame that, built our team up and made it here,” said Bellefonte senior Madyson Miller on the season. “I thought that we played really hard and everybody gave it their all tonight. We just always go down to Hollidaysburg. They’re always a good team.”

After 15 minutes without a shot to start, Triniti Jackson kicked off Bellefonte’s scoring opportunities on a breakaway halted by two Hollidaysburg defenders, jumpstarting what was an active span for Hollidaysburg goalkeeper Anna Bender. Jackson, Miller and Brooke Whitman each finished the first half with a shot on goal, the Red Raiders cut the shot deficit to 9-6 and they’d keep that pressure going right out of the break.

Seven minutes into the second, Sydney Miller logged the stanza’s first shot, seeing a defender block that attempt before firing another just past the left goal post minutes later. From that point on, Bellefonte would see four more strong scoring opportunities falter before the Golden Tigers drew first blood.

Freshman Brinley DeWeese hit the top of the goal on a deep ball, inches away from clearing and finding its way into the back of the net. Whitman followed her up with a shot on goal, and DeWeese added one of her own on a deep ball one minute later, both of which were saved by Bender. And to close out that span of offensive promise, a shot from Madyson Miller skated just past the left goal post.

Following Hollidaysburg’s goal, Bellefonte would struggle to re-establish that pressure, going almost 20 minutes without a shot before a last-minute Jackson breakaway was halted. Overall, that Golden Tiger backline did enough to keep the Red Raiders from getting many comfortable shots. And when they did, Bender was there to make a play, finishing with six saves.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Triniti Jackson (33) battles a Hollidaysburg defender for possession during the District 6 Class AAA championship against Hollidaysburg on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at Mountie Field. The Red Raiders fell 1-0.

“We were just unfortunate that we couldn’t find the back of the net,” said Bellefonte head coach Stacey Miller when discussing the loss. “I felt like it was a typical playoff game, and I think it went back-and-forth the entire game.”

For much of the game, it was a defensive duel, one which saw Bellefonte freshman goalkeeper Ronni Spotts do all she could to keep it deadlocked. While the Golden Tigers were ultimately able to break through, that goal occurred after the freshman had notched seven straight saves to keep them scoreless for almost 60 minutes of play.

Spotts stayed most busy in the first, where she posted five of those saves while also making multiple claims in tight spots. And in the second, she stopped back-to-back free kicks from Bailey Stohr, well-placed deep balls that required her to telegraph the shots and jump to alter them.

“We’re super proud of Ronni,” said Coach Miller on the freshman. “That’s a lot of pressure on your shoulders as a freshman, and she rose to the occasion. She had a fantastic season and a fantastic game tonight.”

The loss stings, considering both the deja vu from last year’s title loss and the prolific senior class – featuring starters in Laila Packer, Madyson Miller, Brooke Whitman and Triniti Jackson – Bellefonte graduates. However, there’s plenty of pride to go around when it comes to all that class accomplished, and those set to return should give fans plenty to be excited about moving forward.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Brooke Whitman (13) dribbles the ball downfield during the District 6 Class AAA championship against Hollidaysburg on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at Mountie Field. The Red Raiders fell 1-0.

“Everyone is really close with each other, and it’s going to be sad to never play with them again and not see them on a daily basis at practice,” said Madyson Miller. “But I think they’re going to have a good future.”

“We have a really strong here that we’re going to be sad to let go of. They did a great job leading this team this season, and we’re going to miss them,” said Coach Miller.

“We’ve been facing (Hollidaysburg) for several years now, and I feel like in the past three years especially, the scores have been very close. It used to not be that way, so we’re closing the gap. Hopefully next year, we’ll be back here so we can give it another shot.”

DISTRICT 6 CLASS AAA GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

Hollidaysburg 1, Bellefonte 0

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Brinley DeWeese (23) battles Hollidaysburg's Lily Chestney (7) for possession during the District 6 Class AAA championship against Hollidaysburg on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at Mountie Field. The Red Raiders fell 1-0.

H – Sage Capone (Ashlyn Callahan), 59:56.

Shots: B 13, H 15. Shots on goal: B 6, H 8. Corners: B 5, H 15. Saves: B 7 (Ronni Spotts); H 6 (Anna Bender).

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Ronni Spotts prepares to kick the ball downfield after a save during the District 6 Class AAA championship against Hollidaysburg on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at Mountie Field. The Red Raiders fell 1-0.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Laila Packer (6) halts a kick from Hollidaysburg's Kaitlyn Davis (24) during the District 6 Class AAA championship against Hollidaysburg on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at Mountie Field. The Red Raiders fell 1-0.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Addalyn DeWeese (29) tries to get past a Hollidaysburg defender during the District 6 Class AAA championship against Hollidaysburg on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at Mountie Field. The Red Raiders fell 1-0.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte's Sydney Higginbotham (19) kicks the ball downfield during the District 6 Class AAA championship against Hollidaysburg on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at Mountie Field. The Red Raiders fell 1-0.