Early Goal Haunts Pocomoke In 1A Title
This wasn’t how the Pocomoke boys soccer season was suppose to end. The Warriors had dream of bringing back the programs 9th championship. Pocomoke woke from that dream to see that the program is on the rise. But they aren’t quite back on top just yet.
The Pocomoke boys soccer team fell in the 1A State Championship game to Pikesville 1-0 Saturday afternoon. The Panthers were able to score on a break away just 28 seconds into the match before leaning on their defense the rest of the way for the win.
The Panthers would start the game off with a push up the left side before a cross into the box was volleyed home. The rest of the half belonged to Pikesville as well, though they were unable to add another. The panthers physical play helped them control the possession, firing several shots on goal. All of those though were turned away by keeper Ethan Peterson. Pocomoke would head into the break down just one, but still couldn’t get their offense going until about 20 minutes left in the match. Finally play began to be back and forth as the Warriors got a couple scoring opportunities. Noah Brittingham had the Warriors first shot on goal with 20 minutes to go, but it would sail over the upright. Shortly after that, the Warriors would have a break away where Jared Hancock would send a cross into the box but it would be cleared at the last second before Yuri Larrimore could get to it. Pocomoke was able to push the Panthers defense into the box, but was never able to generate the clean shot on goal. Time would expire, and the Warriors would come up just short.
It takes a lot to get a program moving back in the right direction, and its a credit to the Warriors three seniors Noah Schoolfield, Gus Enriquez and Luke Speta. The past three years the Warriors have been steadily improving on their way back to the title. It felt like this was their year. It wasn’t. But the foundation is there for this team to have their moment in seasons to come. The three seniors now hand the torch to a very talented group returning, headlined by a deep junior class featuring Noah Brittingham and Yuri Larrimore.
