The Kentwood High boys soccer team was caught by surprise Friday night.
Despite a strong late push, the Conquerors were unable to overcome an early 1-0 deficit, falling to Eastlake 2-1 in a Class 4A state semifinal game at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood.
The Wolves stunned the Conks early, finding the back of the net in the first 30 seconds when Evan Yamada delivered a picture-perfect corner kick to Trevor Saliber, who headed in a goal well out of the reach of Kentwood goalkeeper Chris Kubeja from five yards out.
“That caught us big time (by surprise),” said Kentwood coach Aaron Radford. “Coming into this game, we had trailed for about 15 minutes all season long. (That goal) allowed (Eastlake) to impose their style of play. It changed the mental side of the game.
“We were shellshocked, that was clear.”
The Wolves (13-3-2) pushed their lead to 2-0 in the 45th minute in similar fashion, when Yamada connected with Michael Gallagher on a corner kick.
“Unfortunately, we gave up two goals on set pieces, which is not characteristic of us,” Radford noted.
Down 2-0, the Conquerors (16-2-3) did not give in. In fact, after allowing Eastlake to enjoy the run of play for most of the first half, Kentwood stole the momentum for much of the final 40 minutes. Kentwood defender Cody Crook cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 54th minute after spinning one Eastlake defender to the ground, then shedding another for a goal from 5 yards out.
As impressive as Crook’s 1-on-2 shakedown of the Wolves was, it simply wasn’t enough for the Conquerors.
“I knew I had to fight for it,” Crook said. “It was a very physical game.”
The loss puts drops Kentwood into a third-place match against Stadium at noon Saturday at Harry E. Lang Stadium.
Against Eastlake, the Conquerors were unable to remain step for step with the physical Wolves during the game’s first 40 minutes. Kentwood was outshot in the first half 10-5. Many of Kentwood’s looks on goal in the first half were from long range, and with multiple defenders blocking a true path. Those paths cleared a bit in the final 40 minutes, when the Conquerors surged for several close-range shots, but were only able to make Crook’s look count. Kentwood outshot Eastlake 9-8 in the second half.
Eastlake’s physical style of play made a big difference, Radford said.
“I think size mattered,” the coach said. “(Eastlake) looked a little more energized at the start.”
The early goal and a case of nerves played a part, Crook said.
“We were all shocked,” he said. “You could tell we were all nervous. We weren’t expected to be here.”
Despite the loss, Kentwood can still tie the best finish in school history with a win Saturday. Kentwood finished a program-best third in 2002.
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