Greenwood falls in Class 1 state soccer semifinals

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The Greenwood Blue Jays ran into an international-themed soccer buzzsaw in their first trip to the state final four in more than a decade.

Defensive lapses in the first half proved costly as St. Paul Lutheran added a flurry of goals in the second half to put away the Blue Jays, winning 5-1 Friday afternoon in the Class 1 state semifinals at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.

“(St. Paul Lutheran) were very sound technically,” said Greenwood coach Chris Shull. “Just at a different level, with speed and technical ability. They have some outstanding international players that probably have played since they came out of the crib. Just an amazing, skilled team. I give all the credit to them.”

The Saints put up the game’s first goal quickly, as Simon Hoeyland got the header on Haavard Stranden’s corner kick in the fourth minute.

PHOTOS: GREENWOOD VS. ST. PAUL LUTHERAN

From there, the momentum briefly shifted toward Greenwood for the next 20 or so minutes, but the Blue Jays – playing a direct style aimed at senior forward Julius Walker – were unable to capitalize on their limited scoring opportunities at SPL’s end.

The Saints erased any hopes of Greenwood taking a one-goal deficit into halftime. Greenwood misplayed a ball in the back, failed to clear, and SPL’s Frode Hitland put it home with a header.

“Coaches always talk about set pieces, corner kicks, restarts… those will kill you,” Shull said. “Those are tough ways to give up goals. I thought we dominated the next 25 minutes (after the first goal), just couldn’t find the back of the net. Then, (St. Paul) got another goal and it kind of spiraled from there.”

The Saints poured it out early in the second half, with goals from Hoeyland, Hitland and Tanner Lark in the first 13 minutes. SPL received five of eight first-place votes in the final (Oct. 6) regular season state soccer coaches’ poll for Class 1.

“We wanted to play a little harder,” said Greenwood senior Garrett Nau. “I know I gave up (a goal) and I take full responsibility for that. We’re going to come back tomorrow and play the hardest we’ve ever played, given that it’s our last game.”

Greenwood was only one behind SPL in total shots (9-8), but the Saints held a 5-2 edge in shots on goal.

The Blue Jays avoided a shutout when junior sweeper Jared Henry headed-in Nau’s corner kick in the 79th minute.

“He’s played sweeper, which is a position that doesn’t score very many goals,” Shull said. “It was nice that a defender, an upperclassmen, stood up and got the goal.”

Greenwood (16-6 overall) goes for 3rd place at noon tomorrow against Sacred Heart, which lost 3-0 to Maplewood-Richmond Heights in the other semifinal game.

Greenwood is making its first appearance at state since 2005, when it placed third, and sixth overall. The Blue Jays reached five straight final fours from 1993 to 1997 after beginning play at the varsity level in 1992.

“This stings, obviously,” Shull said. “We didn’t want this result, didn’t expect this result. Now, we just have to move on. It is what it is and we have to come back in this third-place game. You’re going to see a team that’s going to give everything it has. We’re going to leave it all on the field.”

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