Caldwell turns back Westchester, 4-2
The Eagles scored three straight goals in the middle portion of the game and held off the Wildcats, 4-2, in a meeting of state-ranked boys soccer teams Friday on Senior Night at Westchester.
Fourth-ranked Westchester (13-3-1 overall, 8-2 Triad Athletic Conference) will host Carolina Friends in its regular-season finale Monday that will determine second place in the conference. Third-ranked Caldwell, meanwhile, clinched the outright championship.
“I thought we played well,” Wildcats coach Adam Schwartz said. “We had some new players in positions for the first time, and they really played well. We had great leadership, and we played really hard – never quit, never gave up.
“They just capitalized on some of our mistakes. And I thought we had some opportunities and didn’t finish. In a close rivalry game, that made the difference. And their keeper made a couple really good saves.”
Klaus Paeffgen scored on a penalty kick and dished an assist to lead the Wildcats, while Tommy Boggis scored a goal in the second minute on a header off a long free kick that gave Westchester the early lead.
But the Eagles (13-3-0, 10-0) answered with goals in the 13th minute on a break behind the defense and in the 21st minute on a long free kick from the right side that gave them a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Caldwell, after a flurry by the Wildcats came up empty, extended its lead in the 52nd minute before Westchester’s Alen Izic drew a penalty in the box. That set up Paeffgen for a penalty kick goal in the 57th minute.
“Our guys weren’t going to quit,” Schwartz said. “They were playing for the seniors, and they showed great fight. They weren’t going to stop playing. We were tired, but the P.K. was a spark.
“We have the best seniors, and they’re such good leaders. They’re not going to let us stop playing. They fight hard for 80 minutes, and that’s what happened tonight.”
The Wildcats pushed forward in the final minutes, creating a number of chances. They put 10 players near the box on a long throw-in with a minute left, but the Eagles controlled it and raced away for the game-sealing goal.
Will Argo finished with six saves in goal for Westchester, which was without two starters and started two freshmen in their places. The Wildcats should be back at full strength Monday heading into the conference tournament Thursday.
“We can keep it in perspective, and we’ve got to come back Monday,” Schwartz said. “So, we’re going to rest this weekend – it’s a big game Monday. We’re still trying to get a top seed in the state tournament. But we have to take care of business Monday.”
- MICHAEL LINDSAY | ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
- Updated 9 hrs ago
The Eagles scored three straight goals in the middle portion of the game and held off the Wildcats, 4-2, in a meeting of state-ranked boys soccer teams Friday on Senior Night at Westchester.
Fourth-ranked Westchester (13-3-1 overall, 8-2 Triad Athletic Conference) will host Carolina Friends in its regular-season finale Monday that will determine second place in the conference. Third-ranked Caldwell, meanwhile, clinched the outright championship.
“I thought we played well,” Wildcats coach Adam Schwartz said. “We had some new players in positions for the first time, and they really played well. We had great leadership, and we played really hard – never quit, never gave up.
“They just capitalized on some of our mistakes. And I thought we had some opportunities and didn’t finish. In a close rivalry game, that made the difference. And their keeper made a couple really good saves.”
Klaus Paeffgen scored on a penalty kick and dished an assist to lead the Wildcats, while Tommy Boggis scored a goal in the second minute on a header off a long free kick that gave Westchester the early lead.
But the Eagles (13-3-0, 10-0) answered with goals in the 13th minute on a break behind the defense and in the 21st minute on a long free kick from the right side that gave them a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Caldwell, after a flurry by the Wildcats came up empty, extended its lead in the 52nd minute before Westchester’s Alen Izic drew a penalty in the box. That set up Paeffgen for a penalty kick goal in the 57th minute.
“Our guys weren’t going to quit,” Schwartz said. “They were playing for the seniors, and they showed great fight. They weren’t going to stop playing. We were tired, but the P.K. was a spark.
“We have the best seniors, and they’re such good leaders. They’re not going to let us stop playing. They fight hard for 80 minutes, and that’s what happened tonight.”
The Wildcats pushed forward in the final minutes, creating a number of chances. They put 10 players near the box on a long throw-in with a minute left, but the Eagles controlled it and raced away for the game-sealing goal.
Will Argo finished with six saves in goal for Westchester, which was without two starters and started two freshmen in their places. The Wildcats should be back at full strength Monday heading into the conference tournament Thursday.
“We can keep it in perspective, and we’ve got to come back Monday,” Schwartz said. “So, we’re going to rest this weekend – it’s a big game Monday. We’re still trying to get a top seed in the state tournament. But we have to take care of business Monday.”
