Boys Soccer Team Falls in Regional Semifinal
By Zach Warner
The Southlake Journal
Throughout the regular season and into the playoffs, the Carroll boys soccer team found a way to get it done despite injuries and ineligibility.
Advancing to the 5A Region I tournament last weekend, those absences and unavailability finally caught up with the Dragons, as a powerful opponent in El Paso Bel Air proved to be just a little too much for Carroll.
But true to form, the Dragons (19-4-4) hung with their impressive adversary before falling in the regional semifinal by a 6-5 final in overtime. It was Carroll's second consecutive overtime contest in the playoffs, having defeated Plano 1-0 in double overtime on March 30 to earn a berth to the regional tournament.
"I thought we played a marvelous game," said Dragons coach Greg Oglesby, whose team advanced to the regional tournament for the first time since 2006. "It came down to whoever caught a break in overtime. They scored a nice goal.
"Our kids played their hearts out," he said. "It was probably the best team we've played all year. We were going up and down that field like crazy. My goodness, there were 11 goals in that game."
Three of those goals came from Carroll senior midfielder Vincent Mediate, who put them all in the net in the first half of the contest with the Highlanders (28-2). That performance allowed the Dragons to build a 4-2 lead at halftime, but a relentless Bel Air attack resulted in a 5-5 tie that sent the game into overtime.
Ironically, Bel Air benefited from the same scenario that gave Carroll its regional quarterfinal win over Plano earlier that week. Julio Alarcon headed in a corner kick five minutes into the overtime period to give the Highlanders the win, spoiling an opportunity for a Dragons rematch with Jesuit, the No. 1-ranked team in the nation that knocked Carroll out of the second round of the playoffs last year.
Carroll's firepower was dwindling as the regional semifinal game wore on. On top of the other absences due to grades and injuries entering the playoffs, Dragons junior forward and second-leading scorer Mac McGuire was tossed with about 20 minutes left in regulation after committing his second hard foul of the contest.
A couple other players were injured during the game, while the wear of travel and additional games for players competing in the Dallas Cup that weekend was also evident. Players flew in and departed by plane after the game in order to compete in the prestigious event.
"I think a lot of things could have turned the tide," Oglesby said of the Bel Air loss. "If some of those players are healthy and available to play, I think we win that game, because it was just so close."
A stark contrast from their 1-0 win over Plano on March 30, Carroll's contest with the Highlanders was all about offense. Other than two penalty kicks and another shot in the regular flow of play by Mediate, Erich DeZoeten and McGuire both contributed scores for the Dragons as well.
But Bel Air scored three in the second half and the final goal in overtime to end Carroll's season.
"They were just breaking us down in the second half," Oglesby said. "They were quicker and getting more shots than we were. They were quicker and crisper with their passing. But we found a way to stay with them."
Another contrast between Carroll's final two playoff games were the chances created by the Dragons. Carroll dominated scoring opportunities when facing Plano, though they were unable to capitalize until overtime. That's when defender Justin Leal headed in a corner kick from DeZoeten to secure the victory.
In both of Carroll's last two games, Mediate, who led the team with 15 goals for the season, seemed to spearhead the Dragons attack with his play. Although he had no goals to show for it in the Plano game, he helped create several opportunities. He cashed in on those against Bel Air.
"He was physically and emotionally drained after [the Bel Air] game, because he put so much into it," Oglesby said. "He elevated his game to another level [in the playoffs]."
Mediate is one of 14 players Carroll graduates from this year's roster. Although stars such as McGuire and Under-17 national team member Alfred Koroma are expected to return, the 2011 team will be much less experienced than this year's group.
"We do have some guys that will benefit from this year's experience," Oglesby said. "We just don't have a lot."
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