Going for the three-peat: Greenfield clips Crossroads to return to NCISAA 1-A title game
Posted on October 27, 2021
By Eric Barry
Special to the Times
The Greenfield School boys varsity soccer team moved closer to a third North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A championship in a row by defeating Crossroads Christian 2-1 in the semifinals Tuesday night at Forbes Field.
The Knights, now 13-5-1 and the top seed, will host Grace Christian of Sanford in Saturday’s championship match in a rematch of the 2020 state 1-A final. Grace, the No. 2 seed, knocked No. 3 The Oakwood School 5-0 on Tuesday.
Greenfield scored both its goals in the first half against No. 5 Crossroads Christian (15-9).
In the 31st minute, junior midfielder Nathan Lozevski slotted a shot from the 18-yard line just inside the post to end the stalemate.
Not long after, in the 37th minute, senior midfielder RJ Shealy spotted a nicely timed ball across the 6-yard box to junior midfielder Yanik Mihaljevic for a well -composed finish.
Knights first-year head coach Justin Wilkinson, an assistant on the last two state championship editions at Greenfield, explained that they wanted to play the game they have been playing all year.
“We didn’t want to forget how we play and how to keep possession, but most importantly to stay positive,” Wilkinson said.
The score of the match was not indicative of how the game went. Crossroad Christian’s goalkeeper made a total of 22 saves throughout the match, which meant that the Knights shot the ball on frame a total of 24 times.
“I told the team to not just try and put as much power on the ball, but to place it away from the keeper,” Wilkinson remarked. “But I did have to tell their keeper that he was the best we have played against this year. He was making kick saves and diving saves. That was also something that frustrated us, and made me emphasize to find the sweet spot of low and in the corners.”
The statistics for the second half were similar to the first half, however, Crossroad Christian created an obvious momentum shift by scoring eight minutes into the half.
“Our problem was not us being mentally unprepared, it was our lack of awareness,” Wilkinson said. “I have focused on reminding the team to be aware at all times, and their goal was scored by our lack of awareness.”
The Knights will have to maintain their awareness as they pursue a 17th program state title. Greenfield, which scorched the Crusaders 7-0 in the 2020 state final, blanked Grace Christian 4-0 in the second game of the season at the Dr. Robert T. Stone Memorial Showcase way back on Aug. 13.
“We know we can keep possession of the ball against them (Grace Christian),” Wilkinson said. “We have been killing ourselves getting forward and back all the time on such direct play. But if we can keep possession and just work with each other, then there won’t be any issues Saturday.”
Posted on October 27, 2021
By Eric Barry
Special to the Times
The Greenfield School boys varsity soccer team moved closer to a third North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A championship in a row by defeating Crossroads Christian 2-1 in the semifinals Tuesday night at Forbes Field.
The Knights, now 13-5-1 and the top seed, will host Grace Christian of Sanford in Saturday’s championship match in a rematch of the 2020 state 1-A final. Grace, the No. 2 seed, knocked No. 3 The Oakwood School 5-0 on Tuesday.
Greenfield scored both its goals in the first half against No. 5 Crossroads Christian (15-9).
In the 31st minute, junior midfielder Nathan Lozevski slotted a shot from the 18-yard line just inside the post to end the stalemate.
Not long after, in the 37th minute, senior midfielder RJ Shealy spotted a nicely timed ball across the 6-yard box to junior midfielder Yanik Mihaljevic for a well -composed finish.
Knights first-year head coach Justin Wilkinson, an assistant on the last two state championship editions at Greenfield, explained that they wanted to play the game they have been playing all year.
“We didn’t want to forget how we play and how to keep possession, but most importantly to stay positive,” Wilkinson said.
The score of the match was not indicative of how the game went. Crossroad Christian’s goalkeeper made a total of 22 saves throughout the match, which meant that the Knights shot the ball on frame a total of 24 times.
“I told the team to not just try and put as much power on the ball, but to place it away from the keeper,” Wilkinson remarked. “But I did have to tell their keeper that he was the best we have played against this year. He was making kick saves and diving saves. That was also something that frustrated us, and made me emphasize to find the sweet spot of low and in the corners.”
The statistics for the second half were similar to the first half, however, Crossroad Christian created an obvious momentum shift by scoring eight minutes into the half.
“Our problem was not us being mentally unprepared, it was our lack of awareness,” Wilkinson said. “I have focused on reminding the team to be aware at all times, and their goal was scored by our lack of awareness.”
The Knights will have to maintain their awareness as they pursue a 17th program state title. Greenfield, which scorched the Crusaders 7-0 in the 2020 state final, blanked Grace Christian 4-0 in the second game of the season at the Dr. Robert T. Stone Memorial Showcase way back on Aug. 13.
“We know we can keep possession of the ball against them (Grace Christian),” Wilkinson said. “We have been killing ourselves getting forward and back all the time on such direct play. But if we can keep possession and just work with each other, then there won’t be any issues Saturday.”
