Times Dispatch 5/30/13 link: Trojans Earn Date with Cosby in Regional Finals
BY CHRIS HARRIS Richmond Times-Dispatch Again, Mills Godwin came into the boys Central Region soccer semifinals unbeaten and again, the Eagles will not be one of the representatives of the region in the Virginia High School League Group AAA playoffs next week.
Midlothian’s Matt Szucs found the back of the net in third minute of the first golden goal period as the Trojans took down Mills Godwin 2-1 in the first semifinal game Thursday at Cosby.
“We’re a tough team to beat and tonight we pulled out all of the stops,” said Midlothian coach Ted Jones. “(Godwin) is a great team, they’re well coached, we have respect for them, but we also have respect for ourselves.
“I’m just so proud of this group. They’ve worked so hard this season and to come through the way that they did in the last two weeks and the tournaments is unbelievable.”
Midlothian (13-3-1) had a chance to take the lead in the first overtime period, but the Trojans missed an opportunity when a shot hit the right frame, squeezing wide. Eight minutes later, Szucs sent the Trojans to the state playoffs.
“After I missed the open netter earlier, I knew we wasn’t going to lose. I wasn’t going to let that happen,” said Szucs, a junior. “I didn’t have thoughts (after scoring the goal) I was just running and screaming.”
At the 24th minute, Finnlay Wyatt put the Trojans ahead 1-0 when his shot ricocheted off of Godwin goalkeeper Patrick Hagerman’s hands when he dove for the ball in a save attempt. It was the first time the Eagles trailed all season.
Cutter Jacobson tied the match at 1-all with a goal 33rd minute. A scoreless second pushed the game into overtime, also a first for the Eagles this season.
“We looked at it like, hey, it’s overtime to go to state and we like our chances and ultimately we need to finish but unfortunately we didn’t,” said Mills Godwin coach Skip Stevens.
Much like last season, Mills Godwin came into the region tournament undefeated. The Eagles (18-1) needed one win to advance to the Group AAA tournament and was denied for a second consecutive year.
“Both losses hurt incredibly. It’s hard to really compare the two because they are two different teams,” said Stevens. “After losing last year, our guys came in incredibly motivated and focus.
“We had a great season. The guys gave it everything they had, but the ball just didn’t bounce our way.”
Midlothian, which won the Dominion District championship on the same pitch a week ago and which will again face Cosby, has stamped its ticket to the playoffs.
“I think we’ve peaked but we’ve also hit another level of determination. We’ll enjoy the final (tonight) but we’ll roll our sleeves up for the next game and see where it takes us,” Jones said.
Hagerman finished with four saves for Mills Godwin and Tyler Tormollen had seven saves for Midlothian.
Cosby 1, Deep Run 0
Jake Cohan’s goal in the 16th minute was enough to lift the Titans back to the Central Region title game.
Goalkeeper J.C. Fuller had five saves for the Titans. Garrett Hauser also finished with five for the Wildcats.
The Titans, who are the defending region champion, will play Midlothian for the fourth time this season. After splitting during the regular reason, the Trojans won the Dominion District title by beating Cosby in overtime last week at Cosby.
BY CHRIS HARRIS Richmond Times-Dispatch Again, Mills Godwin came into the boys Central Region soccer semifinals unbeaten and again, the Eagles will not be one of the representatives of the region in the Virginia High School League Group AAA playoffs next week.
Midlothian’s Matt Szucs found the back of the net in third minute of the first golden goal period as the Trojans took down Mills Godwin 2-1 in the first semifinal game Thursday at Cosby.
“We’re a tough team to beat and tonight we pulled out all of the stops,” said Midlothian coach Ted Jones. “(Godwin) is a great team, they’re well coached, we have respect for them, but we also have respect for ourselves.
“I’m just so proud of this group. They’ve worked so hard this season and to come through the way that they did in the last two weeks and the tournaments is unbelievable.”
Midlothian (13-3-1) had a chance to take the lead in the first overtime period, but the Trojans missed an opportunity when a shot hit the right frame, squeezing wide. Eight minutes later, Szucs sent the Trojans to the state playoffs.
“After I missed the open netter earlier, I knew we wasn’t going to lose. I wasn’t going to let that happen,” said Szucs, a junior. “I didn’t have thoughts (after scoring the goal) I was just running and screaming.”
At the 24th minute, Finnlay Wyatt put the Trojans ahead 1-0 when his shot ricocheted off of Godwin goalkeeper Patrick Hagerman’s hands when he dove for the ball in a save attempt. It was the first time the Eagles trailed all season.
Cutter Jacobson tied the match at 1-all with a goal 33rd minute. A scoreless second pushed the game into overtime, also a first for the Eagles this season.
“We looked at it like, hey, it’s overtime to go to state and we like our chances and ultimately we need to finish but unfortunately we didn’t,” said Mills Godwin coach Skip Stevens.
Much like last season, Mills Godwin came into the region tournament undefeated. The Eagles (18-1) needed one win to advance to the Group AAA tournament and was denied for a second consecutive year.
“Both losses hurt incredibly. It’s hard to really compare the two because they are two different teams,” said Stevens. “After losing last year, our guys came in incredibly motivated and focus.
“We had a great season. The guys gave it everything they had, but the ball just didn’t bounce our way.”
Midlothian, which won the Dominion District championship on the same pitch a week ago and which will again face Cosby, has stamped its ticket to the playoffs.
“I think we’ve peaked but we’ve also hit another level of determination. We’ll enjoy the final (tonight) but we’ll roll our sleeves up for the next game and see where it takes us,” Jones said.
Hagerman finished with four saves for Mills Godwin and Tyler Tormollen had seven saves for Midlothian.
Cosby 1, Deep Run 0
Jake Cohan’s goal in the 16th minute was enough to lift the Titans back to the Central Region title game.
Goalkeeper J.C. Fuller had five saves for the Titans. Garrett Hauser also finished with five for the Wildcats.
The Titans, who are the defending region champion, will play Midlothian for the fourth time this season. After splitting during the regular reason, the Trojans won the Dominion District title by beating Cosby in overtime last week at Cosby.