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| see below for names |
By TCA
In the semi-finals, both Shorewood and Shorecrest soccer teams had to fight hard to get to the 3A District 1 Championship Final. As predicted last Monday, by some anonymous sage, it will be #1 Wesco South champ Stormrays versus arch-rivals #3 Wesco South runner-up Scots.
Or, as some wag proudly declared, El Shore-ico. This epic clash was destined to happen, as Scots had relentlessly pursued Rays throughout the regular season title race, with only two losses, to the Rays. State qualification is assured, but the all-important seedings are at stake, for an easier path in the State tournament.
Shoreline had been soaked by intermittent rain all day, but shortly before kickoff, the clouds parted, leaving a typical clear but cool Spring afternoon. The stage was set for another chapter in the saga of high-stakes local derbies between friends, neighbors, even families. Going into the District final facing a motivated opponent may not seem ideal, but to paraphrase a biblical quote from the book of Proverbs, iron sharpens iron, so one team sharpens another.
For inspiration, Scots can use emotion to avenge their only two losses this season, to the Rays. Conversely, Rays can feel confident with the same knowledge that they have beaten this team before, twice.
Shorecrest came charging out of the gate, hoping to catch Shorewood unawares, but Rays were ready - calm, cool, collected in defense, knowing that they were better in aggregate than the opposing team. Rays defused the game with their usual methodical play, with precise, accurate passes and controlled movement.
With Shorewood’s midfield dominating possession, it was a matter of time before the Shorecrest defense was breached. At the quarter-hour mark, a concerted passing sequence went from defender #2, to forward #10, to midfielder #7; striker #23 had anticipated the cross, avoids the offside trap, to make the run to the far post and slot the ball home, 1-0.
Sensing hesitation, Rays cranked the engine, shifting through the gears to put the Scots’ defense under duress six minutes later. Midway through the first half, the usual suspect, sharpshooter #10 summoned his quotidian sorcery yet again. On a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box, he bent it around the wall into the bottom left corner, 2-0 (like that ancient England striker Old Whatshisname).
The Rays defense was businesslike and swatted away any attacking threats, with the help of the midfielders, swarming the box to protect their GK #22, who was nonetheless vigilant throughout. At the half, the score was 2-0, but this deficit seemed insurmountable for Shorecrest.
And so it proved in the second half, that the Rays did not try too hard to pile on with more goals, as this would open up spaces in defense that Scots could exploit to snatch a goal on the counterattack. It felt routine, pedestrian - dull even, but to play otherwise would allow Shorecrest an avenue back into this match. Rays had demonstrated this tactic before, to put the opponents to sleep, and close out the game.
As the full-time whistle blows, there was a calm aura of expectation and satisfaction as they laid claim to the title of 3A District 1 Champions.
Shorewood has defended their title, that has now become an annual tradition, for the fourth straight year in a row. The celebration was muted, subdued even, as they have their eyes on a bigger prize, that has heartbreakingly eluded them time and again.
This senior-laden team had made it to State every year, and now have the perspective and experience of what it takes to succeed in the State tournament. This was an assured performance by a confident team secure in their alchemy of knowledge, skills and cohesion they have honed to its zenith for three years, to meet this moment.
Destiny beckons, but to quote a well-known Latin aphorism, who will carpe diem? Can they top it with the trifecta of a 3A Soccer State Championship as well? That chapter remains to be written, as they attempt to do what was last done by their predecessors 48 years ago, in 1978, when their parents were in kindergarten.
The State Tournament begins May 19/20 and ends May 30.
Your Shorewood Rays State Tournament team:
Top row, from left: Tajidin Babayev, Riley Boyd, Tallyn Lord, Jack Delachapelle, Noah Mekonnen, Julian Shook, Nikola Genadiev, Christian Costello, Morgan Grutz, Daniel Bruno, George Clark, Caleb Butler, Kaito Ayers
Bottom row, from left: Maxwell Smith, Meiron Bereket, Dominic Dalasta, Demetre Banchero, Elias Magallanes, Bobby Lamb, Ian Baxter, Isak Medhaug, Kaare Nye
Not Pictured: Varsity Coach Shaun Warner, Asst Coach Travis Bear, Asst Coach Cole Jackson, Christopher Guardiano, Samuel Rivero, Nico Milano, Filip Vojnovic, AT Mark Forbing
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