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Achilles Heel

Trojans Can't Overcome Early Deficit

Southwestern's Drew Keppel winds up for a shot during Saturday's Class B-2 semifinal meeting with Eden at Sweet Home High School. P-J photos by Jay Young

AMHERST–Top-seeded Southwestern was able to overcome an early defensive miscue in their quarterfinal win over No. 8 Alden, but the Trojans could not do the same on Saturday afternoon against No. 4 Eden in Class B-2 semifinal boys soccer action at Sweet Home High School.

Once again coach Jason Deering’s team went down by a goal early during a slow start, but this time Southwestern was unable to respond on offense as the Raiders rolled to a 4-0 win to earn a date with No. 2 Allegany-Limestone.

After both teams went through a feeling-out phase for the first twelve minutes of play, Eden made the most of its first opportunity when Southwestern coughed up a loose ball inside the 18-yard box.

With defenders struggling to clear that ball, Sergio Blanco took the initiative and banged home a quick volley on the short side past goaltender Declan Brown for the early lead and his eighth of the season.

“It seemed like that’s how it was all year,” Deering said of the start.

Southwestern's McKay Young is shadowed by Eden's Charles Agle.

“I just wish we could come out like we did last year, firing on all cylinders and putting goals away. It wasn’t the same team, but they had their own personality, their own way of doing things. They stayed together, they stayed together and kept battling and trying to do things that we want to do. For a while there it was really good soccer for us.”

Just as they did Thursday night at Charles A. Lawson Field, the Trojans responded well to the early deficit and promptly went on the offensive.

Moments after Blanco’s opener Max Vaughn struck a through-ball to McKay Young for a low shot that was ripped right onto the gloves of Eden goaltender Miles Coleman from 25-yards out.

Following that opportunity, Young worked his way into a dangerous area once more, only to send a crossing ball into the middle of the field where it met a sea of Raiders.

The Trojans would add another early chance when Marcus Kautzman took a big swing at a volley for a try that fell wide of the net.

Southwestern goaltender Declan Brown comes out to cut off a ball contested by teammate Miracle Berakah and Eden's Trevor Masocco.

Eden continued to lose the possession battle through the first 20 minutes of play, as Kautzman and Vaughn had another close chance when Coleman was caught out of the net, but that loose ball was cleared out of danger before anyone could pull the trigger.

Southwestern added more chances on a pair of corner kicks, but the Raiders defense was able to get out of those plays without any shots on goal.

The momentum would continue in favor of Southwestern in the first half of play, with Brown coming out on a charging stop at the ten minute mark to keep it a one-goal game.

Shortly before that big save, Tucker Gesing was forced to leave the game due to injury, forcing a substitution to the Southwestern defense.

“It didn’t help,” Deering said of the loss.

“But like I said the last game, we have guys that step up and we’ve got good quality depth on our defense. It makes things look rosy for next year.”

The strong wind that entered Southwestern’s sails after giving up that early goal was quickly dashed in the third minute of the second half.

After being awarded a kick near the 30-yard line, Blanco did his best to put things out of reach with a hard-hit ball that struck the inside of the right post and found the back of the net for a 2-0 Raiders lead.

With a cushion in hand, Eden would add to that margin late in the game with a pair of goals by Giovanni Schifano.

The senior midfielder would get his first of the night on a nice long pass from Blanco which was flicked past another charge by Brown, with his second coming on a long bending shot for the 4-0 final.

Try as they might with hard-fought chances from Young, Drew Keppel, Michael Carnes, Andrew Lindell and Simon Pirrello down the stretch, Southwestern still could not get a shot to fall.

“For us it was a season of a lot of ups and downs and adversity,” said Deering.

“We had a lot of things going on all season and the way we battled through everything, to me it was impressive. We never got after each other. We just kept our heads up and kept battling in practice, working hard.”

While this season comes to an end prematurely for Southwestern at 12-6, next year is already showing plenty of promise.

“I’m excited,” added Deering.

“All of the guys that are coming back next year, it is going to be a solid team. We only lose four seniors, so it’s good stuff to look forward to.”

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