Stone Bridge Boys' Soccer Loses District Final

By Paul Tenorio

Saturday, May 16, 2009

All season long, Jefferson was the type of team no one wanted to play.

It's a hard-working squad that found a way to stay in games until the very end, and opponents faced a challenge as they prepared for the two-time defending Virginia AAA Liberty District champions.

Although it entered the district tournament this season as the fifth seed, Jefferson (8-2-5) again showed why it is such a scary team to face, downing No. 5 Stone Bridge, 1-0, Friday to capture a third consecutive district title.

Stone Bridge (12-2-1) was the second consecutive ranked team that Jefferson beat en route to the championship in its third straight upset win this week.

"These things happen, and I can't be disappointed in my boys' effort," Stone Bridge Coach Randy May said. "They competed. ... It's sports, you know."

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Stone Bridge Falls to Jefferson in Liberty Final

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Stone Bridge players watch as Thomas Jefferson celebrates its 1-0 victory. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Stone Bridge's Chris Kamara takes control of the ball in the second half. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Stone Bridge's Cooper Sousa, left, fights for control of the ball in the first half. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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With 36:19 left, Thomas Jefferson scores past Stone Bridge goalkeeper Matt Miscione. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Stone Bridge's Michael Herndon is not able to connect with the ball while Jefferson's Brian Rudd and Jeff Pontell defend. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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With 9:18 left in the first half, Stone Bridge's Zack Miller attemps to kick the ball while on his back but the ball is grabbed by Jefferson goalie Josh Yoon before it can cross the line. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Stone Bridge's Chris Kamara tries to send the ball back into play in front of Jefferson's Jeff Pontell and Takahiro Nakamura. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Stone Bridge outshot Jefferson 13-3 and had seven corner kicks compared with two for the Colonials. But Jefferson junior Sean Lee scored the game winner with about 30 minutes remaining in the contest on a strongly hit in-swinging corner kick that found its way into the back post.

Stone Bridge travels to face No. 2 Westfield in a game between two teams that many thought were among the three favorites to win the Virginia AAA Northern Region crown this season.

It's a familiar situation for Stone Bridge, which last year handed heavyweight Herndon its second loss of the season in the regional tournament. The Bulldogs eventually took home the regional crown.

"I talked to them on the bus after we got back and said [there's] not a group of guys I'd rather spend time with," May said. "In 29 years, I've had highs and I've had lows. We've all shared in success and defeats. Let's not take this for granted and say it's over."

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks