Brophy 3
Tolleson 2
By Rohan Keith Andresen ’12 & Ian Christopher Beck ’12
THE ROUNDUP
Playing on the same field where they captured a state championship a year ago, the Brophy soccer team
staged a two goal comeback against Tolleson High School Feb. 8, pulling out a 3-2 overtime win to vault them into the 2012 state championship game against Hamilton.
Tolleson took a 2-0 lead but the Broncos scored twice in the second half and once in overtime to set up a rematch of their 2011 championship game.
Hamilton, who beat Chapparal 5-0 in their game Feb. 8, fell to the Broncos 1-0 last year in the championship game.
Tolleson scored eight minutes into the first half but Brophy keeper Nate Sundermeier ’12 held them scoreless for the rest of the half.
Head coach Mr. Marc Kelly adjusted Brophy’s defensive formation in the second half so that only two players stayed back on defense, giving the Broncos another body on attack.
The plan initially backfired when Tolleson netted their second goal of the game in the second half.
With 17 minutes remaining in the game, Brophy broke out for their first goal.
Tyler McGehee ’12 crossed the ball to forward David Lane ’13 who scored Brophy’s first goal, cutting Tolleson’s lead to 2-1.
Center mid-fielder Timmy Mourikes ’12 said Lane’s goal initiated Brophy’s comeback.
“I think the entire team played really well … David Lane had a great game. He never lost the ball, he was working hard and always passing. He had a great game,” Mourikes said.
Less than a minute later, Clarence Clark ’13 netted the game-tying goal.
The score held at 2-2 for the remainder of regulation, sending the game to overtime.
High school soccer overtime rules dictate two 10-minute halves with no sudden-death goal. The teams went scoreless in the first half of overtime.
With just 50 seconds remaining in the second overtime period, Riggs Lennon ’13 scored in the second half of overtime off a pass from Ryan Grotjohn ’13.
The Tolleson keeper moved forward to stop Lennon who chipped the ball over the keeper into the goal, scoring the go-ahead goal for the Broncos.
With the win, Brophy advances to play Hamilton at Campo Verde for the state championship at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11.
Players said they are expecting a tight game.
“It’s going to be a very crazy, hectic game. Both of our teams want it so badly, but I honestly feel like we are going to come through and win it all,” Mourikes said.