Missed Chances Plague Bulldogs in No-Goal Game

Stone Bridge Looked Dominant in First Half

By Paul Tenorio

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Nine minutes into Friday night’s matchup with No. 8 Jefferson, Stone Bridge senior Ryan Sullivan cracked a blistering volley from 22 yards out that forced a tremendous sprawling save.

About 20 minutes later, sophomore Mike Herndon’s offering from the right side of the box cracked off the crossbar. In the second half, it was Abdul Shaban’s free kick that narrowly missed the goal.

It was that kind of night for No. 2 Stone Bridge (7-0-1, 3-0-1 Virginia AAA Liberty District), which saw chance after chance fall to the wayside in a scoreless tie with the defending state champions. But despite the outcome, Coach Randy May said the result wouldn’t bother the still-undefeated Bulldogs, who know how close they were to a dominant win.

“I thought we had more of the opportunities, the golden opportunities,” May said. “We should have come out with a better result, we didn’t. We’ve got to keep our focus and our minds and get ready for Tuesday against Langley.”

Photo Gallery

Stone Bridge vs. Jefferson

Photo: 0/1

« Previous | Next »

Larger Version

As Stone Bridge's Ronnie Shaban nears Jefferson's goal, he is cut off by Jefferson's Jeff Pontell. (Tracy A. Woodward)

Larger Version

In first half action, Stone Bridge's Ronnie Shaban tries to move the ball to Jefferson's goal. On defense for Jefferson is Sean Ji. (Tracy A. Woodward)

Larger Version

In the first half of the game, Stone Bridge's Eric Skogerboe makes a kick at Jefferson's goal. Jefferson's goalie, Ariel Brown, catches ball. On right is Jefferson's Jeff Pontell. (Tracy A. Woodward)

View all thumbnails

Stone Bridge played aggressive, attacking soccer in the first half and was dangerous for all 40 minutes. Senior captain Ronnie Shaban was especially impressive, displaying a tremendous touch and the skills that make him one of the most lethal players in the region. But the Bulldogs were unable to turn Shaban’s play, and several opportunities, into a goal.

Sullivan’s volley in the ninth minute started a sequence of three consecutive opportunities in a one-minute span that nearly put Stone Bridge ahead 1-0. After his volley was saved, Shaban’s header on the ensuing corner was knocked wide. The next corner kick nearly curled into the net untouched but was saved and finally cleared by Jefferson.

Later in the half, Sullivan again narrowly missed on a volley, this time wide left. And Herndon’s shot was inches from a YouTube-worthy goal. But the game was knotted at zero at the half.

In the second half, the Bulldogs were unable to put together a strong attack, leaning more on direct play through long balls as a result of Jefferson (7-1-1, 3-0-1) playing more aggressively. But with Jefferson defender Will Beckman dominating in the air, the long balls took Shaban out of the game, and the Bulldogs saw fewer quality chances.

“It’s tough to play Will one-on-one like that, we needed to spread the ball out more,” Ronnie Shaban said. “If we had played more of our style, we would have done better. But in a tough game like this, a physical game, Will shines, and you saw that tonight.”

Abdul Shaban’s curling free kick in the 60th minute was the best chance of the second half, but missed just wide. And a sequence up the left sideline gave a decent look just yards from the goal, but a weak shot was easily collected.

In overtime, Chris Kamara’s effort from 50 yards out forced a save and led to a corner, but in the end, neither team was able to break the deadlock.

Stone Bridge will have no time to dwell on the result, however, as it faces another tough team in No. 7 Langley on Tuesday.

“We just have to go out there and focus and practice, stay sharp,” Kamara said. “Langley’s going to be a tough game, too, we just have to give it our best like we did with T.J. and see what’s good on Tuesday.”

Tagged: high school sports, soccer, Stone Bridge High School

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?