Westminster tops Deerfield-Windsor boys soccer in title game

EVANS — Deerfield-Windsor School has won a lot of state championships in several different sports. Having never won a state title in girls or boys soccer, the Knights hoped to end that drought Saturday night in the Georgia Independent Schools Association state championship game.

But three second-half goals by Westminster-Augusta — two by Drew Woods and one by Zach Kimbler — gave Westminster a 3-0 win in the boys title game. Deerfield Windsor (13-2-1) finishes the season as the state runner up.

“It was strange. I thought we played a lot better than we did last night,” Deerfield-Windsor coach Ally Joslin said.

The first goal came two minutes into the second half when Kimbler took a cross from Zach Robinson and slotted the ball past DWS goalkeeper Grant Wollam.

Then midway through the second half, the Wildcats added their second goal when Woods beat his defender in the middle of the field, went to goal and scored to seal the 2-0 lead.

Then with close to 12 minutes to go in the game, Woods scored his second goal when he took a long cross from Luke McCartney, controlled it and beat Wollam to make it 3-0.

“We gave up two goals, and then what you have in the final, you go for it,” Joslin said. “We stuck three up front and went for the goal, and on that last goal, we got caught on the counter attack.”

As one would expect in a state championship game, both teams battled fiercely. The Knights clearly had their hands full throughout the match with the speed and skill of the Wildcats. Westminster had a slight advantage in the run-of-play and had more opportunities to score.

Robinson had the best chance of the first half for the Wildcats as he dribbled into the box and took a shot on goal, but Wollam made a great save.

The Knights’ back line made several defensive plays as they were on their heels for much of the half. DWS was able to get the ball into the final third of Westminster, but the Wildcat defense was up to the task, not allowing many opportunities.

With 14:40 to go in the first half, the Knights had perhaps their best opportunity when DWS forward Reynolds Langstaff stole the ball and crossed it to Brandon Johnson, but the Wildcats’ back line thwarted the attempt.

Westminster had another opportunity when defender Cale McLarnon took a shot on goal but right at Wollam for an easy save. In the latter minutes of the first half, both teams created more chances to score but the half ended scoreless.

The second half went much the same as the first with the Wildcats having a slight advantage in possession, creating more chances and limiting the Knights.

Westminster put on a clinic in the second half with their intricate passing and runs off the ball, something DWS had to deal with constantly. In spite of the loss, DWS midfielder and captain Joe Tondera said he was proud of his teammates.

“I can’t ask any more from my teammates,” Tondera said. “It was an honor to captain them. I can’t really ask more than what we did.”

In spite of falling in the state final, Joslin was proud of how much the soccer program at Deerfield-Windsor has improved.

“From where this program has come from five years ago to where we are now is fantastic,” Joslin said.