Santa Fe South, Clinton boys soccer teams earn championship repeats
By Ty Loftis
Photo of Santa Fe South boys soccer
The Santa Fe South Saints came marching onto the campus of Rogers State University in Claremore looking to repeat as Class 5A state champions.
After a 2-0 win against Tulsa East Central, the Saints were able to do just that, something they were also able to do in 2014-15. Coach Wes Furley details the success his team has had.
“Doing this in 5A is just amazing,” Furley said. “We have a great group of kids. We have a ton of seniors and it is a great way to end their careers.”
It was Francisco Salazar who scored just minutes into the game for the Saints, as he was fed a pass and had a breakaway opportunity and it was just he and the goalie. Salazar was able to place it square in the back of the net, and he discussed that moment.
“It was a great feeling,” Salazar said. “I hit it off of my left foot, turned around and saw it go in.”
The match was filled with physical play throughout. Two Saint players were issued yellow cards, as was an East Central player and Cardinal coach Connor Whitham.
Furley remarked that is what his team was hoping for.
“We enjoy the physical play,” Furley said. “We don’t let that impact us and if anything, it is a benefit to us.”
Adrian Sanchez came up with several big stops at the goalkeeper position, facing five shots in the first half and eight more in the second. Sanchez said despite the big moment, he felt like it was just another game.
“It was important to stay calm.” Sanchez said. “Late in the (game), when we got up by two, I knew they would be getting aggressive and it was up to me to just stay in the moment.”
The Saints got that 2-0 lead via a goal from Enrique Guzman with less than 13 minutes remaining in the match. Furley observed that goal was a needed cushion for his team.
“That bunch from East Central, they are tough,” Furley said. “They can score quick and with them, it is important to keep the pressure on.”
The Saints did that, as they had three near misses in the final 10 minutes that could have extended their lead to three, but a shot either went high or wide. Furley was glad to see his team continue to apply that pressure, rather than settling in and playing defensive.
“That’s not how you win championships,” Furley said. “The nice thing about this team, they know how to win championships. I’m really going to miss these guys, but we have a good young group coming up, so it’s exciting.”
Salazar is only a sophomore, but has contributed on both state championship winning teams. He hopes this is only the beginning of what can turn into a dynasty at the Class 5A level for the Saints, who finished the year at 16-1.
“We have a great senior class leaving us,” Salazar said. “But I’m ready to step up and go for a three-peat.”
Class 4A state boys soccer champion Clinton
4A Boys Soccer State Championship
Clinton 2, Hilldale 1
By Josh Jennings
Clinton Red Tornado Soccer is building a dynasty, as CHS beat Hilldale, 2-1, Saturday afternoon in Claremore to win their third straight state championship.
“This is a wonderful thing and credit to our kids,” Clinton coach Eugene Jefferson said. “We worked all year for this moment and people kept saying how we could not do it. But the truth is, our kids are resilient and they fought through the pressure.”
Clinton put together attacks early, from an attempted bicycle kick, to a corner kick and a shot that went just wide.
Hilldale had a free kick and nearly scored when Ryker Milton sent the ball flying, but Clinton goalkeeper Jordan Brown punched the ball above the crossbar. Clinton nearly scored a goal, but Cameron Stout from Hilldale made the save.
With 1:49 left in the first half, Austin Reynaga scored the first goal of the game.
“I kept putting myself in position to score and would not keep trying until I got one,” Reynaga said. “Our legs were tired, but we just kept playing the whole way through.”
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Both teams came out firing in the second half and each goalkeeper had a save. The Reds had a free kick midway through the second half, but it just went above the bar. Reynaga took a shot moments later, but it bounced off the crossbar.
Clinton kept controlling possession the rest of the second half. The Reds scored another goal when Nicholas O’Neale passed the ball to an open Alex Martinez.
“We kept playing like it was tied at zero,” Martinez said. “This was a team effort and we put everything out on the field. For this goal, we got great touches and I got a good strike on the ball.”
But a minute later, the Hornets' Hayden Pickering scored a goal and it was game on with nine minutes to play.
Hilldale took a shot, but Martin Zapien blocked the shot, resulting in a Hornet corner. Hilldale kept pressing, but Clinton wasted lots of time by intercepting passes then kicking the ball down the field.
The Hornets had one more chance on a throw-in, but the Reds defense held and kicked the ball downfield, as the final buzzer went off.
“This group cannot be shaken or flustered,” Jefferson said. “We do not ever go into panic mode and credit to our seniors. It was not easy and it was tough.”
CHS finished with a record of 15-1 and its only loss was to Southmoore, who is a 6A team.
Clinton is known for its success in football, as they have 17 football state titles, but it is turning into a soccer town as well. Jefferson said a fourth state title in a row for soccer could be coming and is not out of the question.
“Well, we are going to enjoy this game and not worry about next season just yet,” Jefferson said. “But hey, it would be incredible and I will not put it past our players and coaching staff. We have some amazing young talent and a great junior high class coming up.”
Class 4A state girls soccer champion Holland Hall
4A Girls Soccer State Championship
Holland Hall 1, Woodward 0
By Josh Jennings
After nearly an hour and a half rain delay during the Class 4A state championship game, Holland Hall prevailed by beating Woodward, 1-0
“The last month, we emphasized defense,” Holland Hall coach Troy Tokarchik said. “We all played rock solid defense as a team, which was the key.”
Berkley Zahn scored the only goal for the Lady Dutch, as the ball was crossed and she put a kick on it and put the ball in the back of the net.
“It was a perfect cross and I knew I could not miss it,” Zahn said. “It felt amazing to get the ball in the net.”
Holland Hall nearly scored on a volley, but Woodward’s goalkeeper, Kendal Wells, made a save.
With around 13 minutes to play, the game had to stop, because of lightning nearby. During the delay, Tokarchik did not tell his girls anything, but he did listen to his girls.
“The girls bonded during this time,” he said. “They talked to one another and I will leave it unsaid, but they figured out how to finish.”
Late in the first half, Holland Hall had a fast break attempt, but Wells made another save to keep Woodward in the game. Wells had three saves in the first half and they were big ones, as the shots clearly were on goal.
In the second half, Woodward’s Thessaly Pfiefer shot the ball, but Holland Hall’s goalkeeper, Julia Roark, made the save. This was one of many clutch saves she would have during the game.
“I knew I would have to play well, since Woodward has lots of great strikers,” Roark said. “There were a few shots on goal which I thought I would not be able to save, but I made them anyway.”
Woodward kept putting pressure on the ball, but the Lady Dutch defense seemed to have an answer and shaved some time off the clock. In the end, Holland Hall did enough to win the game, 1-0.
With this win, the Lady Dutch won their second consecutive championship in women's soccer. Holland Hall finishes the season with a record of 16-1, with its lone loss coming to Owasso, who is a Class 6A team.
Tokarchik thinks Holland Hall will be a Class 5A team next season.
“I would love to three-peat, but if we go up to 5A, it will be tough,” he said. “4A also was tough, but Bishop McGuinness is really good, along with Bishop Kelley, too.
"We must get better this offseason, regardless of which class we end up in.”
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