Boys soccer: Worthington Christian falls in state final
Saturday, November 11, 2023
By Jarrod Ulrey
julrey@cbussports.com
Worthington Christian’s Caleb Van Dop (left) and Andrews Osborne’s Ishmael Mensah compete during the Division III state championship game Nov. 11 at Historic Crew Stadium. Photo: John Hulkenberg
With momentum on its side and looking to tie the score, the Worthington Christian boys soccer team continued to make adjustments against Willoughby Andrews Osborne Academy on Saturday in the Division III state championship game at Historic Crew Stadium.
The Warriors brought senior goalie Ryan Miller all the way down the field with 1 minute 38 seconds to give them a temporary man advantage, and although a flurry of action resulted, no goal was scored during the sequence.
Despite not being ranked in the final state poll and making its first appearance at state, the Phoenix held on for a 2-1 victory.
Andrews Osborne outshot Worthington Christian 31-14 overall, including 13-3 on goal, as it finished 18-0-1.
“In the first half, we had a lot of chances, but they also had a few,” senior forward Ben Jende said. “Ryan came up huge (in goal) with two incredible saves, but in the second half we went down by two and had to throw the kitchen sink at it.”
Worthington Christian’s Sammy Owusu Sarfo (right) and Andrews Osborne’s Giancarlo Toirac battle during the Division III state championship game Nov. 11. Photo: John Hulkenberg
The Warriors, who were first in the final state poll and finished 18-3-3, got the game’s first big opportunity during the opening minute, but Jende’s shot attempt went over the net.
Then with 38:22 left in the first half, Worthington Christian senior forward Sammy Owusu Sarfo had a penalty kick opportunity but missed too high.
Jende and junior forward Eli Funderburke had opportunities they couldn’t finish on in the first half, and the Warriors and Phoenix were scoreless heading into the second half.
With 37:07 remaining, Inaki Pinto gave Andrews Osborne a 1-0 lead when his shot from just outside the box went in.
The Phoenix made it 2-0 with 25:33 remaining when Enrique Benito Sierra scored following a corner kick.
“We are used to scoring first, and when we score first, we just go,” Phoenix coach Drago Dumbovic said. “Pressure, pressure, go, go go. Both teams had some quality chances.”
With 14:18 remaining, Jende took a pass from Owusu Sarfo and knocked it over goalie Hugo Ricondo Caballero’s head to cut it to 2-1.
The Warriors’ best chance after that came with 3:04 to go when senior forward Caleb Van Dop hit one under Ricondo Caballero, but it bounced off the left post.
Andrews Osborne’s Ishmael Mensah (right) and Worthington Christian’s Ethan Carrel battle during the Division III state championship game Nov. 11 at Historic Crew Stadium. Photo: John Hulkenberg
“(Andrews Osborne) has some great, individual players who have some really great talent and skill,” Worthington Christian coach Dan Roads said. “The way they express themselves on the field is impressive. To know these are the top two teams in the state, we knew it was going to be a back-and-forth game and that both teams would take chances and risks. I thought the first half was incredible. Both teams could have scored three goals, but 0-0 was kind of a fair result to have.
“Their first goal was incredible. It was a great team goal that they deserved, a state championship kind of goal. Then we gave up a set piece. It’s unlucky, but we believed in what we had. We changed some tactical stuff and went after it the rest of the game. I thought it was a really fun match to be a part of.”
Roads has gone 226-75-34 in 16 seasons as Worthington Christian’s coach, including leading the Warriors to state titles in 2009 and 2011. This was the program’s first time in a state final since their last title run.
“No one wants to be the second-place team, but this was the most fun season I’ve ever been a part of,” senior defender Sam Blank said. “If you’d given us one more minute, it would have been 2-2. There’s obviously chances that we had, but when you get past the sore feeling of being the runner-up, there’s a lot to be proud of.
“We wear it on the back of our jerseys and wear it on our wrists, when we say ‘Walk Worthy’ all the time. Our No. 1 goal isn’t necessarily the medal. It’s to get to the biggest stages so people notice us and through us, notice Jesus Christ. That’s our goal, and we accomplished it.”