SHORELINE — Shorewood’s undefeated season came to an end today with a 3-2 shootout loss to Bainbridge in the quarterfinal round of the 3A Boys State Soccer Championships. The Thunderbirds fought back from a 1-0 deficit at halftime to lead 2-1, but gave up a goal in the final minutes to send it to overtime. Shorewood missed two of nine kicks and only saved one, tasting defeat for the first time this season.
“It wasn’t the best timing,” said Shorewood head coach Nate Davis.
After falling behind early, Davis said he switched to a more offensive formation and it worked. “We outscored them 2-1 in the second half. If we had played the first half like we played the second we would have had a chance.”
With a slim margin for error, the Thunderbirds made what Davis called a mental mistake near the end of the game to allow Bainbridge to score. “We didn’t step up on defense to pressure them on their final shot.”
In overtime, both teams had chances, but neither threatened seriously according to Davis.
With the season over, this was the last game for the Shorewood team as it is. The Thunderbirds lose 12 players and will come back next year an almost entirely new team. “I feel good about next year, I just feel bad for this year’s seniors,” said Davis.
He might feel bad that his team won’t get to play on in the tournament, but not about their performance this year. “It was a great season,” Davis said. “We have no reason to hang our heads. Going 20-1 is one for the ages. As I told the kids after the game, I don’t think I’ll coach another team that is capable of that.”
At Shoreline Stadium
Goals—Andreas Gobel (S) 1, Owusu Fordjour (S) 1, Bainbridge not reported. Assists—Daniel Han (S) 1, Bainbridge not reported. Goalkeepers—Bainbridge: Not reported. Shorewood: Daniel Nadeau Records—Bainbridge not reported. Shorewood 20-1.
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