No. 4 Trinity Prep escapes Edgewood in Class 3A battle

WINTER PARK, FLORIDA – The Trinity Prep Saints are still marching in the boys’ state soccer playoffs, thanks to some golden play from two of their seniors.

Ryan Avallone drilled a perfect cornerkick to Henry Brown, who won a footrace to the ball and headed it into the net and Trinity Prep held on for a nail-biting 1-0 victory against upset-minded Edgewood in a Class 3A, Region 3 quarterfinal on Wednesday night.

“Jim Valvano said to survive and advance,” said a relieved Trinity Prep coach Ray Sandidge, alluding to a quote from the late North Carolina State basketball coach, “and that’s what we did. I don’t think we played particularly well. But that’s the playoffs, sometimes. These are high school boys, and I think we can play much better than we did. (Edgewood) played hard and made it difficult for us.”

Brown’s goal allowed the fourth-ranked Saints to prevail in what was a physical, defensive battle marred by multiple cards by both teams. Trinity Prep (11-2-1), seeded No. 1 in the region, next hosts fourth-seeded Pierson Taylor (13-6-1) on Saturday in the region semifinals.

“I was being marked by a pretty big guy,” said an elated Brown. “Their biggest center back. I knew I had to be the first person (to the ball). I wasn’t going to beat him in a jumping race.

“I beat him with my speed to the first post,” Brown said. “Ryan Avallone put the ball in and I was able to flick it in for the goal.”

Brown’s goal – his 11th of the season – was the emotional lift the Saints needed. Edgewood (5-5-5) played brilliantly on defense for most of the game, clearing the ball on many Trinity Prep possessions.

Senior goalkeeper Cole Hancock played a big part in the Red Wolves’ defensive effort, recording six saves by halftime, including one on a header by Nicholas Torres with 10:59 left. It was one of several near-misses by Torres, who earlier took a perfect cross from Sergio Azzollini but sailed a shot high over the crossbar just before the water break.

Trinity Prep’s buzzard luck continued in the second half when Mason Dowdy’s header just missed the net with about 25:00 left. Brown then finally broke the scoring drought with the biggest play of the night about 12 minutes later.

“He’s had a great year,” Sandidge said. “He’s really a pressure player. He embraces the pressure and there’s not a lot of players like that. The bigger the game, the bigger the moments. He seems to find a way to thrive. He just works so hard.”

Trinity Prep goalkeeper Shane Wright, who has signed with UCF, also played well. He showcased a booming leg and smart play across the 80 minutes of regulation. It was the Saints’ eighth shutout of the season.

Wright is one of eight Trinity Prep seniors, seven of whom have signed to play college soccer. This group plowed to the Final Four two years ago, and the regional finals last season.

This is their last gasp, and Brown and his senior teammates know it. “(Edgewood) played hard, but we also didn’t play to our full potential,” he said. “This team is exceptional. We have a good chance at winning the state finals. If we really want to do that, because that’s our goal, we’ve got to step up our game these next few games, for sure.”

Trinity Prep beat Taylor 1-0 for the District 9 title earlier this month.