After 100 minutes of high-stakes soccer, a physical and emotional drain against a persistent and equally confident opponent, Liberty boys soccer showed what it had left when the Class 1A state title game against Brunswick came down to penalty kicks.
One by one, the Lions’ first four takers — Justin Kish, Connor Clapper, Ryan Clapper and Lucas Britos — picked their corners and delivered poised finishes. Then goalie Jaxon Vanderhoof had his moment, guessing correctly and following through with a save that provided an opening. All the quality work set up sophomore defender William Paucer to put the Lions’ final touch of the season neatly in the right corner.
The 5-3 margin in penalty kicks after 1-1 play against Brunswick in regulation and overtime was champion’s work as Liberty claimed the program’s second state crown at Loyola Maryland’s Ridley Athletic Complex.
The Lions closed the season with a 16-1 record, while Brunswick from Frederick County finished 14-3-2.
“Right about now, I’m just kind of numb. A hard season. We worked hard all season,” Liberty coach Donnie Kwedar said. “We just kept grinding it out. Constantly. And these guys never gave up. They wanted it and took it, and I’m proud.”
The Lions were three minutes away from the title in regulation after protecting a 1-0 lead earned on Britos’ successful penalty kick in the 16th minute. But the Railroaders, down one player because of a red card issued with 15 minutes left in the second half, pieced together an impressive tying goal. Marvin Vasquez Molina sent a ball forward to Chase Malone, who promptly finished from 14 yards for the long-awaited equalizer.
So close to the season’s ultimate goal and then back square, the Lions impressively regrouped. Chances came in the 20 minutes of overtime, as Nate Frey ripped a shot from 25 yards that went off Brunswick goalie Elias Connor’s fingertips before hitting the crossbar. Moments later, Frey had a quick turn and shot go just wide. Connor kept out Ryan Clapper’s shot from 16 yards.
“They did a good job of staying stable,” Kwedar said. “I could tell they were tired, but they weren’t going to quit and I could tell. I just wanted to reinforce that, but they knew what they needed to do.”
Vanderhoof praised and thanked his defense — Connor Clapper, Cooper Geidel, Brady Bergan and Paucar — for their tireless work during the 100 minutes. And he rewarded all of his teammates with the needed save in penalty kicks.
“At the end of the day, I guessed the right way and I saved a penalty kick. It was Cloud 9 — I was real excited,” he said. “But they made all five of their [penalty kicks], so it was just not my save. It was them, too.”
Paucar was equally grateful for his teammates setting up his chance to be the hero.
“I just stuck to my routine and made the shot,” he said, explaining his routine that sealed a state championship. “I just go up, take a little stutter, look where the goalie is leaning and go the other way.”
Goals: L — Britos; B — Malone
Assists: B — M. Vasquez Molina
Saves: L — Vanderhoof 8; B — Connor 5
Half: L, 1-0
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