Oct 25, 2018 2 min read

MCMURRAY – On opening day of the 2018 soccer season, Ringgold lost to Thomas Jefferson.

When the two teams met Thursday night in a WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal match, Thomas Jefferson ended the Rams’ season with a 2-1 victory.

“This was a great match and it could have gone either way,” said Ringgold coach Steve Persaud. “We had our chances, but I give TJ credit because they are a solid team.”

Ringgold’s Kobe Norfleet put a shot on goal less than two minutes into the match, but the Rams would not get another shot off until another Norfleet attempt with 3:26 to go in the half.

In between the two Norfleet shots, Thomas Jefferson controlled play, while Ringgold barely got the ball into Jaguars’ territory.

Ringgold (13-7) goalkeeper Travis Yahnite made three solid saves that kept the match scoreless entering halftime, despite a late push made by the Rams.

“Travis played great tonight,” Persaud said. “He left it all out there and kept us in the match in the first half.”

Thomas Jefferson (15-4-1) controlled most of the play in the midfield behind the play of Seth Thompson.

Ringgold came out more aggressive to start the second half, but it could not score early on Jaguars’ goalkeeper Jack Wessell.

Thomas Jefferson captain A.J. Meshanko opened the scoring just over 10 minutes into the second half to take a 1-0 lead.

Ringgold tied the match with 17:02 to play as Jake Gorman scored off of a pass from Eli Schoedel to give the Rams life.

“Jake only played in four games all year,” Persaud said. “He came back from an injury and gave us a spark.”

Less than five minutes later, Jeremy Marshall collected a loose ball in the box and found the back of the net for the game-winning goal, putting TJ ahead 2-1 with 12:24 remaining.

A last-ditch effort from Ringgold’s Jeff Soles looked promising when he fired a shot from eight yards out, but Wessell made the diving stop with 3:27 to preserve the victory.

“I love this team and these guys,” Persaud said. “For everything the team has been through this season, this has been a successful season and they need to keep their heads up.”