06.06.10

Deep Run Captures Regional Crown with 3-1 Victory over Rival Godwin

The Deep Run soccer team achieved a goal never before accomplished in school history: winning a regional soccer championship. The team played very well from the opening kick-off to the final whistle earning a hard fought win over their arch nemesis the Godwin Eagles. The Wildcats played a solid defensive game with an effective counter attack. Early in the first half, Todd Wharton displayed some nifty dribbling which allowed him to penetrate the 18 yard box for a potential scoring chance. He was taken down in the box and the referee immediately signaled for a penalty kick. The pressure was great, but Wharton responded with a well placed shot, low to the left corner which easily beat the Eagle’s keeper. Deep Run 1 - Godwin 0. Later in the first half, Wharton chested down a pass from Bobby McDonnell inside the Eagle’s 18 and slipped the ball past the goalie to double the Wildcat lead. Deep Run 2 - Godwin 0. Wildcat keeper Blake Carrey was not tested much in the first half, but he made a sparkling save on Godwin’s leading scorer Russell Bootwright (what a great name for a soccer player… Bootwright) to preserve the 2 goal lead when he sprinted off his line and timed his sprawling dive perfectly nullifying the scoring chance.

The second half saw the Eagles dominate play for a few minutes, but the Wildcats quickly adjusted and continued to control the tempo of the game. Deep Run had an excellent scoring opportunity when Bobby McDonnell took a pass from Carl Webber, sped through the Eagles defense, froze the Eagle keeper and fired a shot just inside the left goal post for the third Wildcat goal. Deep Run 3 - Godwin 0. Pandemonium erupted in the stands as the regional championship appeared to be firmly in the grasp of Deep Run. The Eagles provided their fans with a glimmer of hope when Chris Hershey headed in a goal off a Bootwright corner kick to make the score Deep Run 3 - Godwin 1 midway through the half. The Wildcats had the best scoring chances, by far, for the rest of the game. Leo Kowallski had two clean break-aways: the first stopped by the Godwin goalie and the second thwarted by the left goal post. Todd Wharton was again taken down (clearly in the box for an apparent PK from my vantage point), but the referee spotted the kick just outside the penalty box to the right of the goal after awarding a red card to the offending Godwin defender. The Wildcats executed a clever set-piece when the ball was passed across the goal to a completely un-marked Sean McDonnell whose low shot was saved by the keeper. The final minutes saw the game degenerate somewhat when the Eagles became a bit reckless as they saw their chance for victory slipping away.

The Wildcats obviously benefited from the return of Carl Weber (he missed several games while hampered by an ankle injury) who played a strong game again after leading the team to victory in the opening match of the regional tournament. The defensive corps of Justin Bauersachs, Brandon Hauser, Jack Kendall and Hunter Pfister played very well as they shut down the ever dangerous Russell Bootwright and stifled the Godwin attack. Blake Carrey remained calm and composed in goal making key saves on the few occasions when the defense was breached. Midfielder’s Todd Wharton, Alec Shaffer, Jake Summers, Raees Seedat and Didi Fubara played played very effective both offensively and defensively which really helped Deep Run maintain possession of the ball. Forwards Bobby McDonnell, Leo Kowallski and Blake Campbell kept the Godwin defense off-balance throughout the game.

The final whistle blew and the Wildcat players celebrated victory. The win assures home field advantage for the first game of the state tournament (Tuesday evening); see you there! The regional championship trophy will be a nice addition to the school display case (I understand even the Governor was pleased with the result J) and the Wildcats can savor their conquest for a few days before the team focuses on the grand prize: a state championship. The formula is simple: 3 wins = 1 ring. Good luck and GO WILDCATS!!

Story By Will Bartlett

09.29.09

Former DRHS Soccer Star, Brian Ownby, Scores for the US National Team in the U-20 Fifa World Cup.

Click here to read more

Because of the forecast, we have decided to hold the second Deep Run Soccer Academy session a little bit earlier. We will be meeing from 11am until 2pm instead of the previously scheduled times. Please be sure that your son or daughter is dressed for the weather, as it is supposed to be quite cold tomorrow, and the field will be wet.

There is a possiblity that we will be having some bad weather over the weekend, and we may have to postpone the academy. Please stay tuned to the website for updates about rainouts and make-up dates.

In an emotional crescendo, the Wildcats held onto a 1-0 lead to earn the State Championship Trophy over the Rams of Robinson. Indepth stories of the State Championship weekend are listed below. Please also take the time to view the video highlights fromDigital Sports, the article in the Times Dispatch, and the photos that have been uploaded to the Deep Run Soccer Album.

The Deep Run Wildcats defeated the Robinson Rams for their first ever VHSL division AAA soccer state title. The game was played in almost unbearable conditions as the mercury soared to nearly 100F. The fans and players alike endured the sweltering heat to participate in this momentous event. The heat was so extreme that the VHSL required a mandatory five-minute water break for every twenty minutes of play.

Early play demonstrated the skills of players from each team as the unfamiliar foes battled to possess the ball. Brian Ownby had the first scoring chance when he received a pass from Ricky Siewers at the top of the eighteen yard box and fired a left footed shot that the keeper saved. The Rams were playing well also, but unable to penetrate the Wildcat defense. Ownby had a nice run with the ball to the Robinson end-line to the right of the goal. The ball was played off a defender resulting in a corner kick served by Bryan Wharton. The Wildcats couldn’t capitalize on the low kick and the ball was cleared. The 12th minute saw Deep Run score the lone goal of the game. Ownby dribbled deep into the Rams end, then crossed the ball over Carl Weber’s head and onto the foot of Bryan Wharton who placed the ball into the back of the net. Wildcat fans celebrated enthusiastically in spite of the heat. Deep Run 1 - Robinson 0.

Deep Run was also playing well defensively. A throw-in near the Wildcat goal was won by a Ram player, but Charles Bartlett executed a very technical slide tackle to win the ball back. Brian Ownby got the ball and sprinted towards the Robinson goal. He crossed the ball for Bryan Wharton, but it was intercepted by the Rams keeper who misplayed the ball allowing Wharton to toe-poke it at the goal. It rolled just wide to the disappointment of the Wildcat fans. Both teams struggled to find weaknesses in the opposing defenses using short passes and long kicks searching for a breakdown that could lead to a goal. Brian Ownby created another terrific scoring opportunity for the Wildcats when he carried the ball into the Rams penalty box towards the left goal post then laid the ball off to his right for a streaking Bryan Wharton who’s hard shot went just over the open upper right corner of the goal. The Wildcats stayed on the attack when Ownby passed to Justin Bauersachs who carried the ball into the left corner and lofted a nice cross into the box that was grabbed by the goalie. Less than 4 minutes remained in the first half when Robinson finally got their first shot on goal: a low ball to the left post that was smothered by Cam Murray.

The Rams clearly outplayed the Wildcats in the first 15 minutes of the second half and had two dangerous shots. The first, when a ball bounced high in the air in the Deep Run penalty box and upon descending was volleyed wide of the left post. Several minutes later, the Rams slipped the ball past Murray who had come off his line to challenge for the ball. An ever-alert Zach Summers cleared the ball before it could roll into the goal. A timely mid-half water break saw momentum shift in favor of the Wildcats. Ownby was fouled at the edge of the penalty area after dancing through the last two Robinson defenders. The free kick was blocked, played back into the box by Hunter Curle where Brian Ownby chipped the ball over the keeper and, unfortunately, the cross-bar. Ownby’s hustle produced a Wildcat corner from the left side. Wharton’s service was long, but chased down by Brandon Gary who quickly passed to Ownby for a cross to Charles Bartlett who headed the ball just over the outstretched hands of the Ram’s keeper and, again, the cross-bar.

As the tide of the game ebbed and flowed in favor of each team, the Rams continued to generate opportunities. A Robinson midfielder unexpectedly unleashed a wicked shot headed for the upper, left corner of the Deep Run goal. A brilliant, leaping, one-handed save by Murray brought fans on both sides of the field to their feet and a roar of approval from the ’cat’s fans. The corner kick that followed was sent out away from the goal, but the ball was controlled by the Rams and a dangerous cross played back into the box was headed forcing Murray to make another good stop. Exhaustion was now a factor as players from either side resorted to fouling to stop play. The numerous free kicks didn’t produce any exceptional scoring chances for either team. Julian Hart returned to the pitch after a brief rest and showed some energy with good pressure on the ball and a nice pass to Brandon Hauser who ripped a long low shot to the far corner that was saved only with a dive by the Robinson keeper who deflected the ball out. The resulting corner was a low ball by Bryan Wharton for Carl Weber. The ball bounced in the air and the brief scramble for the sphere was won by the goalie. The Rams moved play back to the Deep Run penalty area where another wild scramble for the ball was resolved with a foul by a Robinson player and a Wildcat free kick. A Deep Run free kick at the Robinson 30 was cleverly passed forward for Brandon Hauser. He couldn’t get a shot and passed back to Brian Ownby who lofted the ball for Carl Weber. Weber got his head on the ball, but the Ram’s keeper stopped the shot. The final minute of the game saw the Rams frantically pressing for the equalizing goal. A long ball was tipped past Cam Murray, but no worries as Brandon Gary cleared the ball. An injured Robinson player caused the clock to be stopped with 6 seconds left and a Ram throw- in deep near the Wildcat penalty box. Nervous fans waited as the player was treated and removed from the field. Finally, play resumed, as did the countdown to victory. The game-ending whistle blew and the Wildcats were the 2008 Virginia state soccer champions! Players ran onto the field to share the celebration. The subsequent awards ceremony was enjoyed by sweat-soaked players and fans as the championship trophy was presented to head coach Steve Chapman.

Congratulations to the team for a fantastic accomplishment. Kudos to Coach Chapman for his efforts not only in leading the team to victory, but playing his entire bench in the Kecoughtan game which (if memory serves) means that the entire post-season roster has earned a varsity letter. Way to go Wildcats!

Story By Will Bartlett