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November 11, 2004
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November 11, 2004 |
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Bulldogs’ year ends in regional final
The evening looked promising for the YSHS boys soccer team after the Bulldogs scored a goal just five minutes into Saturday’s regional finals against Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. But the Eagles, who beat Cincinnati Madeira, last year’s state champs, to get to Saturday’s game, were too tough for the ’Dogs, who fell 3–1 and ended the season 16–3–1. It was the second year in a row that the Bulldogs’ season ended in the regional finals. Last year, the ’Dogs lost to Cincinnati Madeira. Senior forward Noah Woodburn scored the first goal of the night off a throw-in by senior defender Michael Hosket. The Bulldogs appeared likely to control the game, until the Eagles scored on a penalty kick, which sailed over goalie John Pamplin’s head. The two teams played evenly after that, with Hosket sweeping out everything the Eagles sent in and the Eagles’ goalie denying the Bulldogs scoring chances. But the Eagles waited patiently for an opportunity, which came on a corner kick with five minutes left in the half. The goal put Cincinnati up 2–1. The Eagles then scored another goal early in the second half, putting considerable pressure on the Bulldogs. YSHS worked the ball in front of the Eagles for the remainder of the game and brought Hosket up from his defensive position to add more firepower on offense. But try as they might with corner kicks, throw-ins and headers, the Bulldogs sent balls over top of the goal, to the side of the net, into the keeper’s hands and everywhere else but in the goal. The Bulldogs outshot the Eagles 20 to 6. “They made the most on what they got,” said Coach Jim Hardman. “We had our opportunities, and so did they, and they did a great job of capitalizing on theirs.” The Bulldogs came into the regional finals thinking their chances were about even, Hardman said. The Eagles’ record of 10–7–2 and their apparent difficulty beating Madeira in double overtime in the regional semis gave them a vulnerable profile. But the Eagles were confident and consistent, he said. “After the third goal we seemed a bit panic-stricken,” Hardman said. “They sucked our defense out of the center and put the ball right back.” Senior striker Duncan Silvert-Noftle said that he felt the Bulldogs played well and should feel good about getting a couple of district championships and making it to regionals two years in a row. The tournament exposure will benefit the team’s younger players for future seasons. “I’m proud of every player out there. We gave it our all,” Silvert-Noftle said. ’Dogs win regional semifinals The Bulldogs’ aggressive start and four big saves by goalie John Pamplin helped the YSHS boys soccer team beat Dayton Christian, 2–0, in last Wednesday’s Division III regional semifinals, setting up their tough game with Cincinnati Hills three days later. Still soggy from the previous night’s rain, a slippery Northmont field slowed both teams — ranked first in their respective districts — at the start of the game. The Warriors had their first chance to score 10 minutes into the game on a free kick, but misfired just above the goal. When the Bulldogs got the same opportunity 10 minutes later, Duncan Silvert-Noftle kicked the ball to the back of the Warriors’ net for a 1–0 lead. Freshman forward Ben Armstrong scored the second goal of the game from close in at the end the first half. The Warriors came out in the second half with zeal, controlling the ball and keeping it in Bulldog territory. The Warriors held the ball for most of the half, mixing it in front of the Bulldog goal, but never managed to put it away. Pamplin’s first big stop came early in the half when he dove to the post for a long sliding save. Hardman said that the Warriors outplayed the Bulldogs by controlling the ball and with their exceptional transition game. “We were lucky to get out of there with a shutout,” Hardman said. “I try to drill it into their heads that no matter what the score is, don’t let up in the second half.” “Our season is one game long from here on out,” he said. “You get to state by taking one game at a time.”
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