Sem Turns The Tables On Mountain View< The Blue Knights Avenge Last Year's D-2 Class A Title Game Loss To The Eagles With A 2-1 Win.
Friday, November 02, 2001 Page: 5B
EDWARDSVILLE For the second consecutive year, it was a heated defensive
battle. For the second consecutive year, it came down to a single goal.
But this time Wyoming Seminary came out on top, knocking off Mountain View
The Blue Knights, who lost to the Eagles 1-0 in last year’s title game,
advance to the state tournament, where they’ll play host to the District 1
champion on Tuesday at King’s College’s Betzler Fields at a time to be
announced.
Mountain View (14-5) spent most of the first half in Seminary territory,
but the Blue Knights (17-4) struck first when Gareth Phillips banged in a
Brian Dempsey assist less than seven minutes in. Jake Scanlon countered when
he blasted a deep shot from more than 18 yards out off a Taylor Harrison pass.
The teams were tied at halftime.
Seminary generated more of an attack in the second half, but couldn’t
capitalize on a few early drives that resulted in a shot high over the net and
a Richard Eckman kick that bounced off the right upright. But eight minutes
into the half, a Mountain View player deflected a Dempsey attempt into the net
and the Blue Knights held on to earn the victory.
“We had better opportunities in the second half, and I think we took
advantage,” said Seminary coach Paul Burg. “This year, we took advantage and
last year they took advantage.
“I told our kids they have to want to win. They need to want it more, and I
think they did. Mountain View played a heck of a game, and I think they
deserve a lot of credit.”
Seminary outshot the Eagles 24-8, but the key statistic was Mountain View’s
shots in the second half zero.
“The difference was that in the second half they were getting all the 50-50
balls,” said Mountain View coach Darin Bain. “Any of the balls that were free,
they were coming from 10 yards off, stepping in front and winning the 50-50
balls. We’re used to getting off more shots than that.”
Burg wasn’t too comfortable with the one-goal lead down the stretch,
especially with backup keeper Kevin Provost filling in for an injured Nolan
Margo. But the replacement proved more than up to the challenge and stopped
five shots on the day.
“Our defense played very well,” Burg said. “I didn’t think two goals would
do it. They were too powerful. Kevin stepped up his game in the goal and
played great. Last year, it could’ve gone either way, and this year it
could’ve gone either way, and we came out on top.”
