by Jeffery Wickerham
Win and move on or lose and go home. It is what playoffs are all about.
The #5 seeded Tri-Valley Boys Soccer team took the pitch against the #1 seeded River View Black Bears on Monday, October 23 at Coshocton’s Stewart Field, a neutral site for the District Semifinal matchup.
Earlier this season, the Scotties faced off against the Black Bears and were on the wrong end of that match, 5-0. They knew they were facing a good team and came ready to play on the chilly October night.
Starters for the Scotties included; Keeper: Sophomore Owen Harney, Defenders: Senior Captains Devin Watts and Camden Wickerham, Junior Chris Garbrandt, and Sophomore Oliver Baker, Midfielders: Senior Gael Oseguera, Juniors Dominic Dale and Yuvi Bastona, and Freshman Corbin Ryan, Forwards: Senior Captain Sam Schott and Sophomore Cris Carpenter. Subbing in during the match were; Seniors: Elijah Felumlee and Gage Hindel, Juniors: Nick Flarey, Laetyn Holdsworth, and Lincoln Rhodes, Sophomores: Chance Storer and Ty Young, and Freshman: Lewis Mozena.
Play went back and forth for the first 5 minutes with the ball in the Scottie half for most of that time. At the 7 minute mark, River View found the back of the net, 1-0 Black Bears.
Tri-Valley settled down, with some great saves from Harney and the defense making some stops. For the remaining 33 minutes of the first half, Tri-Valley had a few chances offensively, but couldn’t capitalize, leaving the score at 1-0 River View.
The message at halftime from Coach Kieth Laughlin, “We need to work our triangle combination in order to be dangerous. Play the ball quickly so they don’t have a chance to hit us.”
At the 45 minute mark, River View found the back of the net again, putting the score at 2-0. 10 minutes later, the Black Bears scored again, making it 3-0. Finally, in the 64th minute, River View scored it’s 4th goal of the game. 4-0.
Tonight, River View was too much for the Scotties. As the seniors walked off the field for the final time with the rest of their team, there were tears. These boys are sad to see the end of seasons and soccer careers, but they all should hold their heads high. They not only played a great season. They improved as a team. They grew as a team. They accomplished something that at Tri-Valley Boys Soccer team has accomplished since 2007, making it to the District Semi-Finals.
Well done, boys. Well done.
#RentsDue….
Now,
#RentsPaid