POPLAR RIDGE -Winning the 50/50s led to a 100-percent victory for the Southern Cayuga boys soccer team.
Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Southern Cayuga's Andrew Dean kicks the ball loose from Groton's goalkeeper, Kyle Yunger, to eventually score the only goal in the game Thursday evening at Southern Cayuga.
Southern Cayuga's Andrew Dean kicks the ball loose from Groton's goalkeeper, Kyle Yunger, to eventually score the only goal in the game Thursday evening at Southern Cayuga.
The Chiefs out-hustled and out-muscled foe Groton to a majority of the balls to come away with the 1-0 decision on Thursday.
“There is no question [that it played a part],” said Southern Cayuga coach Terry Underwood. “We talked about adrenaline and how it can make you better than you are. I thought that some of our guys showed a little more passion to day.”
Southern Cayuga had a 16-2 edge in shots, and scored the winning goal in the first half. Casey Underwood found Andrew Dean, who had beat goalie Kyle Yunger with 7:26 remaining before intermission.
“Little things make a difference in this game,” said Indians coach John D#'Antonio. “We just didn't mark on their one goal - we didn't mark that one guy and that was it.”
The rainy weather made it tough for the Chiefs#, passing to find its mark in the first half, but they more than made up for it by gaining possession of nearly every ball.
Southern Cayuga seemed to take away every Groton pass, corner or goal kick. While the Indians still had quite a few touches, they weren't able to take advantage of their opportunities.
After the Chiefs scored they took control, generating much more offense in the late first half and early second. As the ground dried for a brief period, they were able to pass more accurately and get more shots on goal. Yunger was able to make every stop.
“Their goalkeeper is obviously an all-league player,” Underwood said. “He played outstanding. We knew we weren't going to get many goals.”
Toward the middle of the half, Groton started to get more aggressive. Indian Matt Parsons fired both of their shots when goalie Ed Richter came out. Richter blocked one shot and was there for the rebound.
Later Richter was in position, snatching the ball from Austin Tompkins before he could fire a shot.
“We knew who their top players were,” Underwood said. “I think we did a good job of denying Matt Parsons, who is a very good player, and their other players. We got numbers-up and double-teamed very well. I thought that that went a long way.”
It was a mental win for both teams, as Southern Cayuga earned a victory without several key players (injuries), and Groton continued playing well late in the season despite a 2-8-1 start.
“This is a good soccer team,” Underwood said of the Indians. “You've got to give them a lot of credit. I think that the boys knew that.”
“We're happy that we could play with a good program like Southern Cayuga,” D#'Antonio said. “It's unfortunate that we have to come up here and lose 1-0 but they're a solid team. They're traditionally good, and on their senior day they didn't want to lose.
“Their backs just wouldn't give us a good opportunity.”
Groton (6-9-2) awaits its sectional seeding, while Southern Cayuga (12-3-1) travels to Trumansburg Tuesday.
“There is no question [that it played a part],” said Southern Cayuga coach Terry Underwood. “We talked about adrenaline and how it can make you better than you are. I thought that some of our guys showed a little more passion to day.”
Southern Cayuga had a 16-2 edge in shots, and scored the winning goal in the first half. Casey Underwood found Andrew Dean, who had beat goalie Kyle Yunger with 7:26 remaining before intermission.
“Little things make a difference in this game,” said Indians coach John D#'Antonio. “We just didn't mark on their one goal - we didn't mark that one guy and that was it.”
The rainy weather made it tough for the Chiefs#, passing to find its mark in the first half, but they more than made up for it by gaining possession of nearly every ball.
Southern Cayuga seemed to take away every Groton pass, corner or goal kick. While the Indians still had quite a few touches, they weren't able to take advantage of their opportunities.
After the Chiefs scored they took control, generating much more offense in the late first half and early second. As the ground dried for a brief period, they were able to pass more accurately and get more shots on goal. Yunger was able to make every stop.
“Their goalkeeper is obviously an all-league player,” Underwood said. “He played outstanding. We knew we weren't going to get many goals.”
Toward the middle of the half, Groton started to get more aggressive. Indian Matt Parsons fired both of their shots when goalie Ed Richter came out. Richter blocked one shot and was there for the rebound.
Later Richter was in position, snatching the ball from Austin Tompkins before he could fire a shot.
“We knew who their top players were,” Underwood said. “I think we did a good job of denying Matt Parsons, who is a very good player, and their other players. We got numbers-up and double-teamed very well. I thought that that went a long way.”
It was a mental win for both teams, as Southern Cayuga earned a victory without several key players (injuries), and Groton continued playing well late in the season despite a 2-8-1 start.
“This is a good soccer team,” Underwood said of the Indians. “You've got to give them a lot of credit. I think that the boys knew that.”
“We're happy that we could play with a good program like Southern Cayuga,” D#'Antonio said. “It's unfortunate that we have to come up here and lose 1-0 but they're a solid team. They're traditionally good, and on their senior day they didn't want to lose.
“Their backs just wouldn't give us a good opportunity.”
Groton (6-9-2) awaits its sectional seeding, while Southern Cayuga (12-3-1) travels to Trumansburg Tuesday.
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