Saturday Huntsville took on the defending 4A Conference state champion DeQueen Leopards in the round of the Final Eight for the state soccer playoffs losing in penalty kicks 4-2.
“We knew going into the game what their game plan was going to be. They like to swarm their opponents and try to wear them down with their numbers and speed,” said Eagles Head Coach Kevin Shinn. “Watching their legions rolling onto the field was impressive but we felt fairly confident that we could play with anyone defensively. Our main concern was depth.” DeQueen has over 50 players on their roster.
“Once again, we had to depend on junior Pablo Chombo at the goalkeeper position and Seniors Weston Nelson and Ricardo Vasquez along with sophomores Zack Hawkins and Dallas Prouty to handle the defensive back positions without relief. At the midfield, where players routinely have to make 60 and 80 yard sprints over and over again throughout the 80 minute game, was where we had our biggest concerns about having enough subs. Our ironmen Seniors Marcus Dorsey and Angel Hernandez, like Hawkins and Prouty, rarely came off the field for the Eagles all season long but after having played through a double overtime game less than 24 hours earlier even their legs were showing signs of tiring,” said Shinn.
The Eagles used a three man rotation of Dorsey, Hernandez, and sophomore Dylan White at the outside mid positions and at the center midfielder positions rotated Seniors Raul Tinoco, Joe Burger, Charles Scudday, and sophomore Will Embry in an effort to keep fresh sets of legs on the field.
Junior Juan Hernandez, sophomore Matt Weaver, and freshman Ismail Vasquez rotated through the two forward positions.
“DeQueen is an excellent team with skill at every position,” said Shinn. “Watching our outmanned young men battle wave after wave of Leopard attacks and then mounting our own counter-attacks in the face of overwhelming odds was truly inspiring. Our guys would not give up. Half of them could barely walk yet they responded with courage and guts and determination and battled the reigning state champions to a 0-0 tie following two 40 minute halves and two 10 minute overtime periods.”
In the penalty kicks, the Eagles missed two of their first three attempts and DeQueen hit all four of their first shots giving them an insurmountable lead and the ticket to the Final Four winning 4-2.
“What more could you ask from young men?” said Shinn. “Their best games of the year were the final two games they played. As coaches, we are always telling them to leave it all on the field and to give every ounce of effort they have toward the cause. The way these young men represented Huntsville this weekend makes you proud to be an Eagle.”
“In addition to having tough, gutsy players we have excellent student trainers on our team,” said Shinn. “After each half and each overtime period our five managers were meeting the players coming off the field giving them water and rubbing down their legs and backs helping to prevent cramps from knocking our guys out of the game. They do great work for us and have all year.” The Eagles managers are Brook Harp, Aby Vazquez, Carli Mann, Cassie Hepler, and Paige Heimstra.
Tags:
angel hernandez, charles scudday, dylan white, huntsville eagles, ismail vasquez, juan hernandez, kevin shinn, marcus dorsey, matt weaver, pablo chombo, ricardo vasquez
Posted at: 11:26 PM | Add Comment
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