Soccer Ads denied state again by visiting Dawgs
Avery Hathaway of Farragut (blue) battles Cole Turner of Bearden for ball possession during this Section 1-AAA showdown at FHS Soccer Stadium Saturday afternoon, Feb. 18. For a second straight season, Bearden knocked out the Soccer Admirals on the same pitch (2-0 this day) and reached the state tournament.
All season, Radcliffe has used two goalkeepers in a match. Junior Holden Giesecke has started and sophomore Jonathan Diaz has played the second half.
But Giesecke played the entire game and recorded a shutout 2-0 victory over rival Farragut in a Section 1-AAA match before a packed and spirited house at Farragut Soccer Stadium May 18.
“It was Jonny who told me we should stay with Holden after halftime,” Radcliffe said. “We always know that both our keepers will be ready and that’s great for us. Jonny told me to stay with him.”
Giesecke made 13 saves, including nine after halftime, to help the Bulldogs (18-3) pick up a second consecutive sectional victory over the Admirals in Farragut. The win also avenged a 3-2 home loss to FHS (19-3-1) late last month.
“You expect Jonathan to come in and play the second half. He always does. (Radcliffe) told me that I was going back in as we were coming back after halftime,” Giesecke said. “But I knew that we were in a 0-0 game at halftime and I knew that I had to seal the deal.
“I knew that I had to keep it strong in the back and that’s what happened.”
The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute when Jonathan Meysrick, a senior defender, took a free kick from Everett Hauser and buried it past the Farragut defense. Ads’ goalkeeper Brandon Keane came out of his net to play the ball and Meystrik chipped the ball into the back of an open net.
Bearden extended its advantage to 2-0 when Collin Lewis tallied in the 64th minute.
“I’m really proud of our guys, but you really almost feel as bad for (Farragut),” Radcliffe said. “This should’ve really been a state championship game. “
“They buried their chances and we didn’t. They deserve to be going where they’re going. They took care of business in front of the net,” Admirals skipper Ray Dover said. “But I still know that I have one of the best teams in the state.”
We may not be hoisting a trophy but we went (19-3-1). I know that we have one of the best teams and I guess that will have to be enough.
“I told my guys that they were champions and I think this was the state championship game because I honestly don’t see anybody beating them.”
