DANVILLE — North Montgomery’s boys soccer season came to an end Tuesday at Danville with a 11-1 loss to the Warriors in the first round of the 2A Sectional 25 tournament.
The Chargers didn’t have the offensive firepower to match the Warriors, who have been in the Top 10 of state rankings for most of the season, and are currently sitting at No. 8. They are also the undefeated Sagamore Conference champs.
North’s season ends at 4-12-1, while Danville moves to 14-2-1 and into the sectional semifinals tonight against Tri-West.
“The guys played their hearts out,” Chargers coach Tristain Hall said. “We got a good goal late in the match, and that shows that they never stopped fighting. I know we played better (against Danville) than we did the first time this season.”
The Warriors won a 10-1 regular season contest.
While both defenses held form for the first 14 minutes, it was Danville that struck first, and then struck often.
They posted five goals in the first half, from four kicks and a header. Five different players got the goals.
Six more goals were posted in the second half, four repeat scorers from first-half scorers and two others.
The Chargers got their solo goal with 3:17 left in the match, when Baydin Hall raced downfield, turned past a defender and blasted one past Danville goal keeper James Beck.
“We had many offensive opportunities, but not many resulted in shots on goal,” Hall said. “Our defense played so much better than the last time. We shut them down for several stretches of time, and with a team as good as they are, that is a real accomplishment.”
Danville was led by Zeri Gerber, as the senior had two goals and three assists. Beck stopped two other good North chances and was credited with eight saves.
North goal keeper Jayden Rausch was peppered with shots all night, and the freshman turned away 10.
Rausch will be one of the many returning Chargers next season, but the match was the last for six seniors. Baydin Hall, Aidan Demoret, Tonyer Jaimez, Colby Coon and Pablo Sanchez will graduate.
“Our seniors were an amazing group,” Coach Hall noted. “I’ve watched these guys grow up as I came through the system. I even have my little brother on the team (Baydin) so it was an emotional night. They have been our leaders, and that leadership is one of the many things we have to replace with them leaving.”
The first-year coach has a year under his belt, and a good returning nucleus to start building on for next year.
“I know what they can do, and what they have done,” Hall said. “I’ve seen their improvement from the start of the season, and that’s where we start for next season. We improve, keep it positive and keep moving forward. We never give up.”
The Warriors and Bruins, who defeated Frankfort 6-1 in the other first-round match of the night, will meet at 7 tonight, after the Southmont - Greencastle match at 5. The two winners advance to the sectional championship match on Saturday.
