On Wednesday May 28th, the stands were lined with Highlander fans as they watched the McLean boys soccer regional quarterfinals, against the South Lakes Seahawks. The Highlanders were confident coming into the game after a 6-0 win against the Seahawks earlier in the season, but they needed to focus on playing their A-game in order to ensure their entry into the semifinals.
“We’ve done all the work,” coach Leland Jameson said. “Now we just go out there and show them.”
The Highlanders have had a strong season with a 14-1-2 record, but this game was different. Despite having the odds in their favor, there was an added sense of pressure, as the regional tournament commenced.
The game got off to a slow start, with a few close goals from both teams. Still, it was clear that the Highlanders were intending for a major victory.
Roughly 15 minutes into the first half, senior forward Ada Karatepe scored the first goal, with an assist from senior forward Joe Margita. With the score 1-0, the Highlanders gained renewed confidence, motivating themselves through the game.
“We did a really good job in the first half of keeping the ball and putting [the game] in our hands,” Margita said.
Continuing to dominate the game, McLean kept possession of the ball and continued to attack defensively, with senior goalkeeper Sebastian Carmenates blocking several attempted goals from the Seahawks.
Regardless of the Highlanders’ lead, the tensions continued between the teams, as the Seahawks repeatedly blocked McLean shots on goal. With six minutes remaining in the first half, Margita fulfilled Mclean’s hopes, and scored the second goal of the game. With a bigger lead, McLean set a focus on defense.
“As a team, [we had] good pressure and pressed strongly throughout the game,” senior center middle Rafael Cabral said.
After the halftime break, Mclean refocused and held onto their strong start. Both of McLean’s strikers fought relentlessly to keep the ball in their possession during one-on-one tackles. The team encountered small hiccups, but this did not hinder their chances of securing a win.
“[I think one thing we should be careful about] is corner kicks,” Margita said. “That’s really the only way to give up [goals].”
Although the entire team is credited for starting the second half on a good note, several key players stood out on the field.
“[I would like to] highlight Rafa, he was excellent in all of the phases [of the game],” Jameson said. “And of course Joe, [who got multiple] goals.”
In the final quarter of the game, as tensions rose, senior midfielder Arman Badipour was substituted in for senior defender Liam Conley, who needed a short break to recover from leg pain. After Conley got back onto the field, senior defender Will Saxon was taken out with a red card for vulgar language, bringing Badipour back into the game.
“[We all need to work on] keeping ourselves in control with the yelling and the bad words,” Cabral said.
Nearing the end of the captivating half, junior midfielder Luke Hamel got substituted out, due to a leg injury, allowing senior midfielder Elliot Thames to go in.
With six minutes remaining, Badipour and Thames both attempted goals, but missed by mere inches.
With one final goal by Margita, the Highlanders won the game 3-0. As they prepare for semifinals against Wakefield, a team that they defeated previously this season, each player will live by one motto.
“Our choice is to kill or be killed,” Margita said. “We just have to stay focused.”
