Wakefield boys soccer
Wakefield's Kevin Kotecki (11) holds off a Broughton defender in Wednesday's soccer match, which the Capitals won 1-0.
Wolverines fall short at Broughton
Following Wakefield's 1-0 loss to Broughton Wednesday night — which continues a tumultuous two-week stretch for the Wolverines — assistant coach Derek Williams offered a small consolation to head coach Scott Sloan.
"We used to lose to [Broughton] 5-0," quipped Williams, a former Wolverine soccer player.
Unfortunately for Wakefield, only a moral victory can be taken away from the contest. But there is a noteworthy positive — the Wolverines played well, a rarity during their recent seven-game slide which Wakefield tallied just one win.
In fact, Sloan couldn't identify a negative in the loss.
"I have absolutely no complaints tonight," he said. "I would like to have that goal back, but that's my only complaint."
The goal in question is the Wolverines' one miscue of the night as Broughton's Bjorn Johnsen slipped in a score four minutes before intermission. Although several spectators argued there was a hand-ball infraction prior to the goal, no call was made and the play was upheld.
Sloan commended his squad for evenly playing one of the top teams in the state, explaining, "When I look at the stats from tonight we are going to be even or better than them."
Sloan and Williams agreed the Wolverines showed increased energy and intensity, which in turn created a lot of scoring opportunities.
Since the start of Cap-7 Conference play Sept. 8, offense has been an issue for Wakefield, scoring just five goals in their last seven games.
But Graham Shover, Alex De Groot and Davis Edwards made several strong runs, but just couldn't convert. Sloan singled out Shover for pressuring the keeper and working hard.
"We were just unlucky, and couldn't get a goal," the coach shrugged.
T.J. Scharville did a commendable job in goal, which Sloan said he expects from the junior keeper.
"That's what we need from T.J. every game," the coach said. "To me, the 5-1 drubbing [against Leesville Road Sept. 14] was the anomaly. And tonight was closer to what he can do — if he stays focused. What we saw tonight was a leader emerge."
Scharville's most compelling save came six minutes into the second half as the Capitals pressed for a second goal. With a Broughton forward closing quickly, the keeper slid, stopped the ball, and then gathered up the shot while still on his back.
The Wolverines impressed Sloan during the first 10 minutes of the second half because Broughton attacked hard, and Wakefield met the challenge.
"We knew they would come out strong early, but we figured if we could weather that, we would have a chance," the coach said. "And Broughton did push it, but they ran out of gas."
In the final minute of regulation, the Wolverines put together one last scoring chance as Scharville — positioned at midfield — kicked the ball into a scrum 20 yards in front of the Broughton goal. The ball ricocheted back to Wakefield senior Chris Bostian, who connected the ball from about 30 yards out. But the kick narrowly missed wide right.
Following the loss, Sloan remains optimistic, but realistic. The Wolverines are in a tight spot, 1-5 in conference, having to leapfrog at least two other squads to clinch a playoff spot. The good news is, however, Wakefield (7-5-2) showed signs of regaining the form it used to start the season 6-0-1.
"We have talked to the boys about a turning point, and turning points can be losses," the coach said. "Moral victories are unfortunate because they mean we lost. But there are a lot of good things we can take away from this game."
But with good news, comes the bad as well.
The Wolverines return to action next week hosting No. 1-ranked Jordan Monday, Sept. 28, and visiting No. 2-ranked Sanderson Wednesday, Sept. 30. Talk about your unfavorable schedules.
