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The defensive clear hit Mechanicsburg's Sean Swidersky at point-blank range, squarely in the solar plexus.
It left a large red welt that, needless to say, hurt.
Not as much, however, as it hurt Conestoga Valley.
In a classic example of right place, right time, Swidersky unwittingly delivered the game-winning goal as Mechanicsburg eliminated the Buckskins from the District Three Class AAA playoffs, 1-0, Saturday afternoon at Hempfield.
The 17th-seeded Wildcats (15-6), who threw a flash-bang grenade into the upper bracket of the AAA draw with a 1-0 knockout of top-seeded Manheim Township on Thursday, advanced to their fourth semifinal in five years with their third consecutive 1-0 decision.
"It's been a heck of a week," said coach Tony Lougee, whose Wildcats defeated Daniel Boone at Exeter on Monday and Township in Neffsville on Thursday.
"A lot of bus rides and a lot of emotion," said Lougee. "We got some breaks this week and made the most of them.
"Today, we were emotionally tired and physically tired, but so was Conestoga Valley."
The eighth-seeded Buckskins (14-6-2) beat ninth-seeded Cumberland Valley, 2-0, Thursday in Witmer as Josiah Groff scored on two of the Bucks' three shots on goal.
Despite nine shots on goal and enjoying a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks, Cumberland Valley could never dent the Bucks' defense.
Saturday was another defensive taffy pull as CV held a 6-5 advantage in corners, the 'Cats a 9-6 edge in shots.
"It was a decent, back-and-forth game," said Bucks coach Dave Hartlaub. "I'm a little disappointed that our quality didn't come out today."
Mechanicsburg had the better quality chances early as Bucks keeper Matt Hoffman stopped David Strausbaugh and Matt Warren in the first 10 minutes.
Wing defender Josh Logan, rotating to the middle, blocked CV's best chance in the first half when Robert Cardina unloaded from 10 yards out.
Just after intermission, 'Cats keeper Shane Cowoski stopped Tyler Martin. Twelve minutes later the momentum changed.
On the second consecutive corner kick of an offensive possession that began with Austin Martz's fourth shot of the day, Cort Hutchison's service came to Alex Panuccio in the box.
He sliced a shot and the ball squirted to a CV defender, who kicked it clear.
Right into Swidersky's belly, with 26:04 to play.
"That's one of the craziest goals that I've had this year," the junior midfielder offered.
"We were a bit unlucky on the goal," Hartlaub said. "There's no doubt about that."
And unlucky in the final 15 minutes when Mechanicsburg, as it did Thursday against Township, put the bulk of its team in a defensive attitude.
"We understand that if you're going to win soccer games, you've got to take care of your end," Lougee stated.
The 'Cats took care of the Bucks as Groff was denied possession in the box, in close, with 12:30 left.
Then, after a great string of passes from Cardina to Matthew Coleman to Chris Vang, Vang was tackled in the box with just under seven minutes to go.
All ball? No ball?
Hartlaub wasn't saying.
"I don't want to take away anything from what [Mechanicsburg] did. They wanted this game very badly. They worked and they earned it."
Dave Byrne is a Sunday News sports writer. E-mail him at dbyrne@lnpnews.com.
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