Longhorns nip Blue Demons in regular season finale
KENNETT SQUARE >> Two teams, both playing at a high level, and meeting in the regular season finale is rarely uninteresting. But add in a rivalry with the intensity of the ‘Battle of Route 82,’ with big-time playoff implications on top of it all, and you have a can’t-miss proposition.
That was certainly the case Thursday when the Kennett boys’ soccer squad played host to Unionville. It was a highly charged atmosphere for the entire 80 minutes, and the only difference was a lone goal in the 58th minute, giving the Longhorns a tense 1-0 triumph.
“This is like the Super Bowl for us. There was a lot of trash talking before the game,” said Unionville senior defender Ryan Fresco.
“It was what we expected it to be: a hard-fought game,” added Blue Demons’ head coach Kevin Lentz. “I felt that a couple bounces here or there could have been the difference, and that’s the way it turned out to be.”
It was a memorable outing for ’Horns midfielder Luke Jackson. The senior notched the game-winner, but was also issued a red card later in the action, and will have to sit out Unionville’s first round action of the District 1 4A Playoffs against an opponent to be determined.
“Some of us lost composure, myself included,” Jackson acknowledged.
“We talked about keeping our heads, especially in this environment, where there was high-energy and everyone wants to win the game. I kind of lost it, but my teammates did a good job and that why we kept (Kennett) to zero (goals).”
Finishing with a 7-3-2 record in the Ches-Mont (12-4-2 overall), Unionville heads into the postseason on a roll, going unbeaten in its final eight. The Longhorns entered the clash 14th in the district power rankings.
“We lost three in a row (in league play) in mid-September, but ever since then we’ve been playing a lot better, especially on defense,” said Unionville head coach Rich Garber. “We’ve given up a total of three goals since Downingtown West (on Sept. 20).”
“We could end up anywhere between the 11th and 14th seed.”
Heading in, the Demons had won five league contests in a row by a combined score of 27-1, and held down the No. 18 on the power rankings. With the setback, Kennett falls to 8-5, 11-6 heading into the postseason.
“I told the guys they have to have a short memory, and now we will see where we fall in the seeding,” Lentz said.
With 22:46 on the clock, Jackson executed a perfect free kick from just beyond the box. It hit off the bottom of the crossbar and in.
“I got a through ball, I chopped to the (defenders) backside and he fouled me,” Jackson explained. “I saw that I was close enough and I decided to put it on net. I struck the ball well, put pace on it, and it went bar-down.
“I mean, what else can you ask for in a rivalry game like this?”
It didn’t seem possible, but things actually became even more contentious the rest of the way. With just over 13 minutes remaining, there was a multi-player skirmish that caused a long delay. And then, with 7:09 to go, Jackson was given the red card.
“I lose a key player for the playoffs, one of my key guys — they guy that scored the only goal. So yeah, I’m not happy with that,” Garber said afterwards.
“It was a disputed foul from our perspective that led to the free kick, which led to the goal – and that was it,” Lentz added.
But despite being down a player for several minutes, and under constant pressure the rest of the way, the Unionville defense held up. In all, the Demons outshot the ’Horns 9-3 in the second half, but senior goaltender Justin Teufel did not surrender a goal and finished with 15 saves.
“That’s sometimes the frustrating thing with soccer. But we have nothing to hang our heads about,” Lentz said.
“Justin (Teufel) was outstanding,” Garber added. “It was a good rebound after not having one of his better outings against Great Valley (a 2-2 draw). He kept us in the game, to be honest, and our two center backs (Phin Gill-Gorenc and Ryan Frasco) were stout.”
There were several prime scoring chances in the opening half by both sides. Midway through the half Unionville’s Parker Wyatt unleashed a blast that Kennett keeper Manny Castro deflected away at the last instant. And the Longhorns’ Deyvi Ramos had a shot glance off the crossbar in the final three minutes of the half.
“This is an emotional game, with both team’s going at it,” Garber pointed out. “It was very intense. Kennett was all over us, but we got the nice shot (from Jackson) and it hit the crossbar and goes in. So we will take it.”
Lentz said: “I tried to tell the kids that it’s just another game, but it didn’t feel like it when you have the crowd screaming and yelling. One thing we tried to emphasize this season was that the best teams try to ride through the storm without getting too high or too low. I thought we did a good job of that, for the most part.”
Unionville had a 4-2 edge in corners, but the Demons registered a 16-8 advantage on shots on goal.
“It was good to keep (Kennett) out of the back of our net. It felt good,” Gill-Gorenc said. “It’s Kennett, and you always expect a battle. They always give us their best.
“It’s a rivalry, so you expect there to be chirping.”
Afterwards, Garber was happy with the effort and the win, but wanted to see more composure from his squad.
“I want them to understand that they have to show respect and can’t keep talking to the officials,” he complained. “You are going to have the same officials a couple times a season, and they will remember things.”
When districts open next Tuesday, the Longhorns will be without Jackson. But they will also have the momentum of closing the league slate at 6-0-2.
“Despite the loss of Luke, I think we will still be rolling with the momentum we’ve built,” Fresco said.
“We haven’t lost in eight and there’s been seven clean sheets, so that’s a good look heading into the playoffs,” Gill Gorenc added.
Unionville 1, Kennett 0
Unionville 0 1 — 1
Kennett 0 0 — 0
Unionville goal: Jackson.
Goalie saves: Teufel (U) 15; Castro (K) 8.
