By DAVID CARSON
The most successful season in University High School boys soccer history came to a close Saturday night as the Trailblazers dropped a 1-0 decision to Fort Wayne Canterbury.
University withstood a Canterbury assault for 62 minutes before the Cavaliers Benjamin Kunce unleashed a screamer from 35 yards out that found the back of the net for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
University coach Wes Priest was complimentary of Canterbury and proud of his team that was playing in a regional final for the first time. “Canterbury is a great team, they play mostly 3A schools. They have guys who play a high level of club soccer. I’m so proud of our University team to stay in the game and compete at a high level.”
“We got beat on an unbelievable finish from 35 yards out, a frozen rope. I can’t ask for more from our kids. It was a great game befitting of a championship.”
The game began with the teams feeling each other out, with the Cavaliers mostly on the front foot. Trailblazers goalie Thomas Burgess came up with a save in the 18th minute. University had their best scoring chance a few minutes later of their only corner of the first half. Sam Gailey’s cross found Coghlan Kumleri rising above for the header, however the shot caught the Cavalier keeper right in the chest.
The teams saw off the half scoreless, but not before a couple of Canterbury scoring chances went for naught. Burgess made a point blank save in the 23rd minute before cleaning up nervy situation in front of the net off a free kick in the 37th minute.
“Our plan was to sit back and absorb hits,” said Priest. “And hope to nick a goal or two. We were unlucky to get only two corner kicks.”
The Cavaliers kept the pressure up in the second half before Kunce broke through with the eventual game winner. Burgess kept University in the match with a diving save in the 56th minute and a stop on a Canterbury player in alone in the 60th.
The Blazers took the front foot in the last ten minutes, pressuring the Cavaliers. University’s best chance of the second half came in the final minute as Jacob Masoncup was turned away.
Playing in their 18th regional, the five time state champion Cavaliers advance to the Northern semi-state where they will face Boone Grove.
University advanced to the championship with a 1-0 win over Lafayette Central Catholic in the morning game. Jacob Alford scored from a near impossible angle on the goal line in the 60th minute to provide the game winner. Priest had moved Alford from his customary defender position to the midfield in the middle section of the second half. The move paid dividends as the senior retrieved the ball near the end line and fired a shot on goal that got through the keeper and spun in to the net.
The Trailblazers defense shined throughout the game. Jay Maturi had a few clearances in the first half and Evan Coveney had a huge intervention in the 48th minute. Following Alford’s goal Quentin Berry cleaned up another Knights opportunity in the 64th minutes. University saw out the remainder of the game without a significant threat.
University ends the season at 15-5. The Blazers 15 seniors leave with the team’s first Pioneer Academic Athletic Conference championship and first Sectional championship.
