4A Soccer - Broughton punches their ticket to the semifinals
November 10th, 2007 Posted in High School Soccer, High School Playoffs
Photo: Broughton soccer, earlier this season
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The Broughton Capitals mens soccer team secured the first berth to the state 4A semifinals with a 2-1 win over the J.T. Hoggard Vikings of Wilmington on Friday night under the lights. The Vikings were making the second trip to Wake County this week, after defeating the Apex Cougars on Wednesday night at Apex.
Broughton brought the attack out quickly, putting a cross into the box from the right side within the first minute of the game. Hoggard and Broughton pressured each other in the midfield, with Hoggard getting the most of the attack through the first 15 minutes of the game.
Broughton Head Coach Izzy Hernandez noted after the game that his team was not transitioning well from defense to offense in the early part of the first half, but improved as the half went on. This improvement became evident, when Broughton found goal in the 23rd minute. While attempting to clear out a Broughton attack, a Hoggard defender handled the ball only 5 yards from the penalty box. Broughton’s senior midfielder and captain Watt Williams kicked the ball toward the back post, past the outstretched arms of Hoggard goalkeeper Eric Hunt. The ball rebounded off the post toward the middle of the goal into the advancing Broughton attackers and junior Kevin Stam deflected it back into the goal for a 1-0 Broughton lead.
Hoggard continued their offensive pressure, and Broughton was especially troubled by Hoggard’s midfielder Franklin Jones. The play of defenders Abed Qadura and Billy Moock, as well as goalkeeper Scott Goodwin withstood the Hoggard attack. Hoggard finally broke through the Broughton defense in the 38th minute, but was called offside.
After half time, the midfield battle continued, however neither Hoggard or Broughton could find the goal, with multiple shots going wide or high. Broughton struck again in the 53rd minute, courtesy of junior Brandon Haynes. After gathering the ball and coming across the field at the the top of the penalty box, Haynes struck the ball with precision through the Hoggard defense to the left side netting to put Broughton up 2-0.
Hoggard pulled a goal back in the 68th minute with a fantastic strike by midfielder Matt Whitehead. From nearly 40 yards away on the right flank, Whitehead took a shot. The ball seemed to going wide left, but then found a guest of wind or the wings of a prayer, as it drifted back to the right. It was too much of a knuckleball for Broughton goalkeeper Scott Goodwin to handle and brought the score to Broughton 2, Hoggard 1.
The last 12 minutes was a fast and furious game by both teams. Hoggard midfielder Franklin Jones again caused problems for the Broughton defense as he passed 5 Broughton defenders before pushing a shot wide right. Broughton’s Watt Williams and Brandon Haynes continued to create offensive pressure in the final minutes, seeking to get an insurance goal, but there was no need as the Broughton defense hold on for the 2-1 win.
With the win, Broughton advances to the 4A East district final / state semifinal against the winner of Saturday’s game between Green Hope and Sanderson. The district final will be played before Wednesday, November 14th at a school site TBD. Broughton has defeated Sanderson twice this season in conference play, winning 1-0 and 4-1.
Starters:
J. T. Hoggard - J. Hunt, Pavaka, Wall, Jefferson, vonMueller-Hogan, Jones, Silvestre, Davis, Hunt, Kenney, Lion
Broughton - Goodwin, Shelley, Iiams, Mook, Haynes, Stam, Qadura, Green, Williams, Attayek, Llana
[where: 27605]
