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WRIGHT TWP. — Entering the postseason, Crestwood had reached the District 2 Class 2A semifinals in boys soccer six straight seasons. But the Comets had come up short in all six years.
The seventh time turned out to be lucky for Crestwood.
The Comets dominated Valley View on Tuesday night and ran through the Cougars defense with ease at times during a 5-1 victory.
“The last three years we were knocked out in the semifinals and it’s nice to finally make it,” said Comet senior R.J. Kresge, who scored two goals.
First-year Crestwood coach Michael Stephensson is ecstatic for his group of nine seniors, but knows the task is far from over.
“When the seniors go to the semifinals three years now I think it gets into their head a little and we’ve been trying to get them to focus and believe in themselves,” Stephensson said. “I know they’re happy now getting into the final. Tonight we’re going to enjoy being in the final and tomorrow on the practice field we start preparing for the final. It’s a whole new game and we’ll be ready.”
Crestwood, which reaches the finals for the first time since winning the District 2 Class 2A title in 1993, will face defending district champ Coughlin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Lake-Lehman High School.
The Crusaders reached the title game for the third time in the last four years by shutting out Dallas, 2-0 at Wilkes University’s Schmidt Stadium. In the win, Coughlin coach Rob Havard became the winningest coach in school history passing Barry Trievel with career win No. 140 in 10 seasons. Havard, who received an ice bath and a plaque for his accomplishments, has an overall record of 140-34-9 with the Crusaders.
Getting the win on the big stage against rival Dallas and Mountaineers head coach Chris Scharff made achieving the milestone more memorable.
“I had big shoes to fill and I think there’s still a lot of room in the shoe. I just hope he (Trievel) is proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish after he was gone,” Havard said. “Every game at this point is big. To come against someone like Chris Scharff, who’s obviously a legend in the Wyoming Valley Conference, it’s something I’ll never forget and hopefully we can have continued success going forward.”
Crestwood came out in its game against Valley View looking to prove it was the better team even though the Cougars upset top-seeded and previously unbeaten Scranton Prep last week. The Comets certainly packed a punch in the first half scoring all five goals in the first half and making it look easy.
Kyle Gegaris opened the scoring in the match’s 10th minute off an assist from Jason Klusewitz. Less than 3 minutes later, Kresge struck goal for the first time sprinting through the Cougars defense for a 2-0 lead. Kresge made a similar play about 15 minutes later taking a pass from Nick Andrews for the score making the lead of 3-0 secure.
Crestwood tacked on two goals needing just 61 seconds to make the lead insurmountable at 5-0 before halftime. Gegaris nailed a penalty kick with 1:40 to go in the half, and Klusewitz used his speed for a goal of his own with 39 seconds to go before the break.
“We came out, played hard were moving the ball around well and got some nice through balls and just an overall, good team effort,” Kresge said. “The offense was clicking pretty well.”
With a huge lead, the Comets rested on offense and controlled defensively in the second half only allowing a penalty kick score by Valley View midway through the half.
Unlike the Comets’ win where there were no dramatics, Coughlin saved its scoring for late. Dallas, trying to hold off the potent offense by focusing on defense, almost did it. Until George Oko got involved.
A shot by Coughlin was saved by Dallas keeper Cory Metz, but the ball ricocheted back into play and Oko was there to grab the rebound and slot it in the net for a 1-0 lead with 8:04 to go.
Six minutes after Oko’s goal, David Cortez padded the lead to 2-0 and secured the victory with 2:01 left in the game.
“I felt a lot lighter after that one,” Havard said. “Against a team like Dallas, one’s usually not enough, you have to get two.”
The Crusaders and Comets met earlier this season playing to a 1-1 tie back in early September, the second game of the season for Coughlin and the third for Crestwood.
“They’re a very good team. There’s no denying that,” Kresge said about Coughlin. “They’re very strong, but it will be a good game.”
District 2 Class 2A Semifinals
Coughlin 2, Dallas 0
Dallas`0`0`—`0
Coughlin`0`2`—`2
Second half — 1. COU George Oko 8:04; 2. COU, David Cortez 2:01.
Shots — DAL 2; COU 19. Saves — DAL 7 (Cory Metz); COU 1 (Steve Johnson). Corner kicks — DAL 0; COU 3.
Crestwood 5, Valley View 1
Valley View`0`1`—`1
Crestwood`5`0`—`5
First half — 1. CRE, Kyle Gegaris (Jason Klusewitz) 30:19; 2. CRE, R.J. Kresge 27:57; 3. CRE, Kresge (Nick Andrews) 12:48; 4. Gegaris (penalty kick) 1:40; 5. CRE, Klusewitz (Hubert Herrera) :39. Second half — 1. VV, Joe Koniszewski (penalty kick) 22:26.
Shots — VV 9; CRE 16. Saves — VV 5 (Michael Gallagher); CRE 7 (Lance Lysiak). Corner kicks — VV 2; CRE 3.
