Vandegrift's postseason run snapped in Class 6A boys state soccer semifinal loss

Butch Hart

GEORGETOWN — Attention to detail and great execution lifted Flower Mound to a 2-0 win over Vandegrift in the Class 6A boys semifinals of the UIL state soccer tournament, setting up Saturday's championship match between the 2019 state champion Jaguars and defending state champion Katy Seven Lakes, which dispatched Duncanville 2-0.

Flower Mound (23-2-2) scored once in each half off set plays initiated by throw-ins from defenseman Carter Simpson. Flower Mound then relied on goalkeeper Morgan English and a five-man back line that played nearly flawless marking defense, denying Vandegrift many good looks at the net.

Vandegrift's Emmy Aranda, right, knees the ball away from Round Rock's Isaiah Chandler during their early-season match. Vandegrift fell to Flower Mound 2-0 in Friday night's Class 6A semifinals of the UIL state soccer tournament. Flower Mound will face defending state champion Katy Seven Lakes in Saturday's final.
Vandegrift's Emmy Aranda, right, knees the ball away from Round Rock's Isaiah Chandler during their early-season match. Vandegrift fell to Flower Mound 2-0 in Friday night's Class 6A semifinals of the UIL state soccer tournament. Flower Mound will face defending state champion Katy Seven Lakes in Saturday's final.

“We look for the seam in the defense on throw-ins and try and get the open shot,” Simpson said.

After a back-and-forth start to the contest, Flower Mound found its opening when the ball was kicked out of bounds on the east sideline about 30 meters out. Simpson rocked a throw in nearly 30 meters across the field to Jack White on the opposite side. White one-touched the pass and blasted a shot back across the penalty box area, just inside the Vandegrift right goal post for a 1-0 lead 9:52 into the contest.

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Vandegrift (22-3-2) pushed the pace, but the Jaguars' collapsing back-row defense, keyed around using goalkeeper Morgan English as a back row defender playing out of the nets and delivering long distance kicks, kept the Vipers' offense at bay.

Vandegrift head coach Jonathan Winship talks to his team during halftime of their District 25-6A match against Round Rock. The Vipers had outscored playoff opponents 13-1 in five wins, but were shut out in Friday's Class 6A state semifinals 2-0 by Flower Mound.
Vandegrift head coach Jonathan Winship talks to his team during halftime of their District 25-6A match against Round Rock. The Vipers had outscored playoff opponents 13-1 in five wins, but were shut out in Friday's Class 6A state semifinals 2-0 by Flower Mound.

The second half opened with Flower Mound pushing the ball upfield into the Vipers' defensive zone and a Vipers' return sailed out of play, giving Simpson another throw-in from the sideline. He lofted a throw directly in front of the Vipers' goal and in the subsequent scrum, Jaguars midfielder Alex Tabbah kicked the loose ball into the goal as Vandegrift goalkeeper Charlie Reed was inadvertently screened out of the play by his own defenseman. Tabbah’s goal came just 3:04 into the second half.

Vandegrift had a couple of strong shots on goal by Yandel Andrade and Luke Hawley, but the Vipers were unable to establish a consistent attack.

The Vipers entered the semifinal with three straight shutouts and had outscored playoff opponents 13-1 in five wins, but the Jaguars' defense and throw-in offense proved the difference.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Vandegrift boys soccer loses to Flower Mound at UIL state tournament

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