From Staff Reports
HAGERSTOWN — Kevin Moyer converted a penalty kick with 4:39 remaining in the first overtime for the game’s only goal, lifting Loch Raven over Mountain Ridge in the Maryland Class 1A boys soccer state semifinal Saturday night at North Hagerstown High School.
“It was a very exciting game,” said Miners head coach Tim Nightengale. “Very exciting for a state semifinal game. It was a tough way to lose on a tough call. On a tripping call.”
The teams were just about even on shots with Loch Raven taking 18 to Mountain Ridge’s 17. Loch Raven dominated in corner kicks, 10-1.
Both goalies — Connor Eberly for Mountain Ridge and Tim Thadmington for Loch Raven — finished with 10 saves.
“Our boys challenged them,” said Nightengale. “They gave us everything they had.
“Loch Raven has been a soccer powerhouse in 2A for years. Now they’re in 1A and we had them on their heels. We had their best player — All-South player of the year Seth Moses — we had him frustrated. He was only able to get off five shots.”
Loch Raven (14-4-1) advances to play Pocomoke (15-2-1) in the state championship game this weekend at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Pocomoke defeated Brunswick 1-0 Friday night to reach the championship game.
“Our boys played like champions,” Nightengale said. “It may not show it on the scoreboard, but they’re true winners. As coaches, we couldn’t be more proud. They gave us all they could give and more. They played with pride and they played with class.”
Mountain Ridge had an 8-game win streak snapped and finished 14-3-1.
“The fan support was unbelieveable,” Nightengale said. “They went to both games (the girls lost to Loch Raven 2-1 earlier in the day in Glen Burnie). I don’t think they had 25 for them and we had a couple hundred here for us.”
