VHCA Boys Soccer suffers 1-0 heartbreaking loss in ESCAL Championship
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.”
VHCA was able to stop some close calls defensively, keeping the one goal differential and while having some good chances in the second half, the Crusaders couldn’t quite find the net.
“I was so proud of how we played,” said VanAlthuis. “Parents and coaches from Syracuse were so complimentary of how our 11 man team gave their 27 man roster so much trouble.
“My guys punched way above their weight class this season and I couldn’t ask any more of them. I really feel it was a very successful season and hope they have pride in their accomplishments.”
The VHCA Crusaders finish their season with an overall record of 9-3-1.
Syracuse 1 0 – 1
VHCA 0 0 – 0
Shots- Goals:VHCA: J. DuVall 1-0, A. Evans 4-0, Jared Graham 2-0, T. Stockwell 1-0; Syracuse:I. Depuy 4-0, D. Mathewson 1-1, J. Stahl 1-0, L. Thibault 1-0, J. Calderon 2-0
Saves- Goals Allowed: VHCA: J. Lawrence 7-1 Syracuse:I. Donath 4-0
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.”
VHCA was able to stop some close calls defensively, keeping the one goal differential and while having some good chances in the second half, the Crusaders couldn’t quite find the net.
“I was so proud of how we played,” said VanAlthuis. “Parents and coaches from Syracuse were so complimentary of how our 11 man team gave their 27 man roster so much trouble.
“My guys punched way above their weight class this season and I couldn’t ask any more of them. I really feel it was a very successful season and hope they have pride in their accomplishments.”
The VHCA Crusaders finish their season with an overall record of 9-3-1.
Syracuse 1 0 – 1
VHCA 0 0 – 0
Shots- Goals:VHCA: J. DuVall 1-0, A. Evans 4-0, Jared Graham 2-0, T. Stockwell 1-0; Syracuse:I. Depuy 4-0, D. Mathewson 1-1, J. Stahl 1-0, L. Thibault 1-0, J. Calderon 2-0
Saves- Goals Allowed: VHCA: J. Lawrence 7-1 Syracuse:I. Donath 4-0
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