MCGRAW – Valley Heights Christian Academy boys soccer lost a closely contested championship game 1-0 against Syracuse Eagles on a windy Saturday afternoon in McGraw, NY.

The Eagles came in to the game untied and undefeated in league play this season. In their two previous meetings, Syracuse topped VHCA 5-0 and 4-2.

A Crusader formation change and exceptional effort had the first half play very even with neither team able to find the net.

Jared Graham of VHCA had the closest chance at the 15 minute mark as he worked himself into space and sent a laser shot just inches wide of the left post.

It looked as if the teams would go in to halftime scoreless but just as the referee called 2 minutes Syracuse’s David Mathewson drove to the right corner and sent in a cross ball. Crusaders’ goalie Jonathan Lawrence was positioned to intercept the ball but as it came down, a gust of wind pushed the ball into the goal, surprising everyone in attendance.

VHCA head coach Keith VanAlthuis said after, “I felt horrible for John and the team. They [Valley Heights] had played tough the whole half and the wind really just grabbed that ball.”

“I told them at halftime that they were playing good enough to win and just had to let that play go. They didn’t disappoint me.”