Aquinas defeats EHS 1-0
Rick Peterson Jr.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
TOPEKA — The Emporia soccer team spent most of Friday’s Class 5A semifinal fighting off the constant goal-scoring chances Aquinas presented.
But the Spartans couldn’t keep the six-time defending champions down forever.
After Aquinas missed out on several opportunities, George Skevington scored off of a well-placed corner kick by Thomas Harrison with just over 26 minutes left to lift the Saints to a 1-0 victory at Hummer Sports Park.
Aquinas, which boasts a record of 20-0 on the season and is ranked No. 3 in the nation in the ESPN Rise Fab 50, outshot the Spartans 25-1 and attempted 12 corner kicks.
Emporia coach Angel Cornejo said he liked the fight his team showed in order to hang around with Aquinas, but was upset by what he deemed “unfair” officiating.
“I’m pleased with our effort. I’m not pleased with the refs,” he said. “I think our guys gave it their all. We knew we could win, but you can’t win against 14 people on the field.
“We couldn’t create at times, but many times we had the chances and we didn’t finish them. But we couldn’t get started. I mean, I didn’t see fairness on the field. There’s nothing we can do other than just keep playing.”
The Spartans caught a rough break in the first half, losing midfielder Arnoldo Torres to injury.
Emporia (13-6-1) will try to end a strong season on a positive note in the consolation game today at noon against Liberal. Cornejo said his squad should be highly motivated.”
“We’ll come back,” he said. “I think our kids will be angry, and we’ll use that anger to our advantage.
Aquinas coach Craig Ewing said he was pleased with the perseverance his team showed.
“I’ve lost games like this before,” he said. “You can look like you’re the greatest team in the world and dominate, and lose it 1-0. That’s the way soccer is sometimes. It’s hard to get a ball in the net some days, and today was one of those days.
“But to the kids’ credit, they kept creating opportunity after opportunity and we finally cashed in on something.”
Aquinas, will try for their seventh straight championship today at 2 p.m. against Miege. Emporia faces Liberal in the consolation match at noon.