Crossroads beats Burroughs 1-0. Wins 1A Sectional Championship
Updated at November 10, 2011 14:29
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch-
Crossroads continued its improbable run through the postseason on Wednesday.
A crazy goal and a Herculean effort between the pipes gave Crossroads a stunning 1-0 victory over John Burroughs in a Class 1 boys soccer sectional.
The Current, who won their first district title last week, improved to 12-6 and will play in the quarterfinals on Saturday against St. Pius X.
The Bombers, No. 4 in the stlhighschoolsports.com small school poll, end their season at 15-9.
"They’re resilient," first-year Crossroads coach Ben Peet said of his team. "We make the most of what we have."
Andre Witherspoon booted the game’s only goal 40 seconds into the second half from nearly 40-yards away through a strong wind. The goal stood up, thanks in large part to a fantastic effort from keeper Brendan Wood. The senior goalie made 17 saves on the day, several coming on aggressive dives and athletic leaps.
"Last night I was really determined to go out and have a big game," Wood said. "I saved that attitude for today. This is fantastic."
The Bombers pelted Wood with shots all afternoon.
"We created more than enough chances," Burroughs coach Alan Trzecki said. "We had two or three games worth of chances."
But the 6-foot Wood never crumbled under the attack.
"My adrenaline was pumping," he said. "There were times that I scared myself when I came out halfway, but I can’t stop now. I gave it everything I had, and it worked out well."
Burroughs dictated possession for nearly the entire first half. Forward Stephen McMillian directed a Bombers attack that was stymied repeatedly by Wood and a defense that swept in and cleared balls from the box.
The Current had few meaningful shots on goal on the afternoon.
"We have not been a team that’s dominated possession all season," Peet said. "Our strength is to go long and then attack."
The game’s lone score was doozy. Soon after the whistle blew to start the second half, Burroughs, no surprise, gained possession. But suddenly the ball got to the foot of the 6-1 Witherspoon, who let it rip. The ball had enough carry to sail over the head of keeper Alex Spencer.
"Our keeper may have been playing a little high, but we had possession and then there was a quick turnover," Trzecki said. "Their shot came from such a distance. But the wind held it up and it came down over the top."
The game originally was scheduled for Tuesday at Midwest Soccer Academy. Tuesday’s rain caused the postponement to Wednesday, and the wet grounds forced a move to the artificial turf at Burroughs.
"When we found out that it was going to be here on the turf, I was a little apprehensive," Wood said. "Our coaches thought we would have an advantage on a wet and muddy field."