The game of soccer is set up so that neither team ever gets an advantage. That is unless Mother Nature intervenes. Corvallis had the advantage of the wind at their backs in the Class A state championship game on Saturday in Corvallis. It helped the Blue Devils but the winds were not too harsh. That changed early in the second half when Belgrade had the wind at their backs. The wind picked up and was so strong at times that the huge American Flag gracing the field was sometimes standing straight out. But even the wind didn’t stop the Blue Devils. They held off Belgrade, 2-1, to win their second straight championship.
The Blue Devils scored early in the game when the combination of Emmett Semple and Cayden Ayers once again came through. Semple booted the ball across the field from the right to Ayers who was heading to the goal. Ayers sent the ball and Corvallis was on the scoreboard with only four minutes elapsing in the game.
“We have a lot of trust in each other,” said Semple of Ayers, and the rest of his team. Semple scored again at 35 minutes when Juan Pablo Juarez dribbled through a pack of Panthers and found Semple open and heading for the goal. Semple hit from the right and connected to give the Blue Devils a 2-point advantage. With the wind at their backs, the Blue Devils kept up the pressure on the goal the rest of the first half but were unable to score again.
Corvallis coach Gregg Shifflett said that although his offense scored lots and got all the press, it was the defense that kept the team in the hunt for the title. The defense kept pressure on Belgrade and although the Panthers were able to get shots on goal, keeper Justin Catanach kept his composure and did what was needed to stop the ball from going into the net.
“I was thinking that I had to come out strong and get those balls down and not let them get a touch on them,” he said. “The wind was a big factor, and it was a real factor getting it back.”
Catanach’s kicks back after his saves only made it to about midfield before the wind would knock the ball down, leaving the Blue Devils with a lot of ground to cover to get to the goal. Corvallis made several forays into the wind but Belgrade’s defense kept them back. On the other end, the Corvallis ‘D’ followed Juarez’ lead and stayed calm and played their game.
“They are very confident on the ball,” said Shifflett of his defense. “Juan is an impact player who controls the ball and calms things down. Today, I thought Ives Fershee also did a good job.”
Shifflett went on to say this team, whose nickname is ‘the Alliance’, has played together since they were six or seven years old. “They’ve been playing together forever. They are best buds. The camaraderie is incredible.”
Shifflett, who is retiring this year, said he thought last week’s game against Billings Central was perhaps a tougher game because they had to get through that team to play the championship here at home. “Their grit, determination, tenacity last week carried them over to this week. I had to bring them back down to earth a little on Monday and Tuesday but then they started realizing, okay, we want to win the championship here.”
Shifflett went on to say his team doesn’t buckle to pressure and he wasn’t even sure they felt the pressure of winning another championship. “Justin (Catanach) was, I’m sure, a little ticked off. The D really wanted the shutout. This team (Belgrade) hadn’t been shut out all year. That was our goal. But I think they’ll take it.”
Belgrade’s Johnny Davidson scored in the 78th minute to end the shutout. The Panthers stepped up their offense in the final two minutes but Catanach and crew kept knocking the ball down. Shifflett said he didn’t like it when the clock is in stoppage. “I want to know exactly (how much time is left.)”
Belgrade took 14 shots on goal while Corvallis had 12 shots on goal. Belgrade’s Clay Bost had six saves. Catanach had 10 saves. Belgrade took seven corner kicks while Corvallis had five. Corvallis had 14 fouls and Belgrade had seven fouls.