Time runs out on Ringgold
Ringgold’s James Snyder, right, tries to maintain control of the ball while Thomas Jefferson’s Ty Antonelli tries to steal during the second half of the game. Thomas Jefferson won the Class AA playoff game, 1-0.
Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Ringgold’s Jake Reiland receives the ball from a teammate during the second half of the game against Thomas Jefferson.
McMURRAY – Time literally ran out on the Ringgold boys soccer team’s season Monday night.
After a mad scramble and a foul called on Thomas Jefferson with roughly 15 seconds to play, the Rams hustled to get into position for the free kick from 28 yards. A hurried shot sailed over the goal, time expired and Thomas Jefferson, behind a hot goalkeeper, hung on to upset Ringgold, 1-0, in a Class AA first-round game at Peters Township High School.
“Their goalkeeper kept them in the game when they needed him to,” said Ringgold coach Frank Perez. “He provided a spark whenever they got flat.”
The only scoring was done early, in the 11th minute, as Thomas Jefferson (13-5-1) found a weakness in the Ringgold back line. Matt Prezioso’s shot was fended off by Josh Zakrzewski, but the rebound bounced right to Conor O’Leary, who knocked it in for an early 1-0 Jaguars lead.
Ringgold (13-4-2) controlled most of the play, but the Rams couldn’t find many weaknesses in Thomas Jefferson’s defense. When the Rams were able to penetrate and get quality scoring chances, Jaguars goalkeeper Colin Bucsok proved ready for each challenge.
The sophomore made several outstanding saves, finishing with nine for the game. One of his best came just three minutes after O’Leary’s goal, when he dove to his right to keep a shot out of the top corner.
His biggest save, though, came in the 65th minute, when James Snyder’s free kick, a low shot curved around the wall, was ticketed for the bottom corner. Bucsok dove and knocked it away.
Ringgold’s best chance to tie the game was in the 72nd minute, when Nick Fowkes got behind the defense and had a one-on-one with Bucsok, but his shot sailed over the goal.
“I’m still proud of the boys,” said Perez. “It’s been a long, hard season. Just because they lost this game doesn’t change the fact that they won the section and accomplished a heck of a lot.”