Spartans Get Revenge, Hand Pride 16-11 Defeat
FAIRFAX, VA - In a game that was defined by multiple lead changes and back and forth action, it was tough for anyone who attended last night's Dulles District championship to have predicted the final quarter of play.
Nearly two minutes in to the final frame, it was Heritage attackman and District Player of the Year Dean Stambules who gave his team a two goal lead at 11-9. From there however, it was all Broad Run. Putting on an offensive clinic, the Spartans scored an unheralded seven unanswered goals in the fourth quarter, to secure themselves the Dulles District championship with a 16-11 victory.
With the win, Broad Run avenged last year's overtime loss in the district championship to Heritage, as well as an earlier defeat to the Pride in which they lost 17-14.
The road to victory for the Spartans wasn't an easy one however. Two minutes into the second quarter, they found themselves down early 5-2 as it was Heritage that was doing all the scoring. Led early on by Russell East's two goals, Heritage looked in control during the early going as their offense was firing on all cylinders. Pouring in four goals in a matter of seven minutes, it looked as if they would have no trouble reaching their season average of 15.9 goals per game.
But then came Broad Run. Scoring four unanswered goals of their own, it was the Spartans who retook the lead at 7-6 with just 1:56 to go in the half. A goal though by Stambules with 29.7 seconds left put an end to the Spartan run, but more importantly he was able to tie things up at seven apiece.
The pace in the third quarter wouldn't change much either. Back and forth action would again define play as the two teams traded scores much of the way as Heritage was clinging to a 10-9 advantage.
Then came the wild fourth quarter explosion. Following Stambules' fourth goal on the night to give his team a two goal lead, Broad Run proceeded to take full control. A goal by midfielder Connor Forman would open up the flood gates as less than a minute later it was sophomore Tyler Johnson joining in on the fun with a goal of his own to make it all even at 11 apiece.
The Spartans then wasted no time in getting the lead. Only a minute and 13 seconds later, attackman Andrew Londos put his team ahead with a goal from the left-wing ten yards out. Just a minute after Londos gave his team the lead, junior Geoff O'Kane gave his team a little insurance with a backdoor cut to make the score 13-11.
Broad Run though was far from done. 30 seconds later attack Kyle Ward put in a goal, then only a minute later, Londos put another one in the back of the net, and just like that Broad Run had raced out to a 15-11 lead in a matter of minutes.
Heritage, unable to get anything going offensively, was stymied by sophomore goalie Colin Sack. Sack, after allowing 17 goals in the first meeting between these two squads, would have none of that this go-round. Making several key saves in the fourth quarter, Sack was able to thwart all attempts at a comeback.
With the win, Broad Run will secure a number one seed entering the Region II tournament. Last year in the region tournament, the Spartans bowed out to Salem in the first round, while their counterparts at Heritage proceeded to lose to the Western Albemarle Wolverines. Finalists in the region tournament will then advance to the state tournament, which is to be held at Westfield High School.
Chick-fil-A Player of the Game:
Tim Sanders, Midfield
Sanders finished the night with three goals and one assist, but importantly was his play in transition. Picking up four groundballs, Sanders was key in between the restraining lines. That effort helped lead to high-octane transition game that the Heritage defense struggled with all night. For that, Sanders gets our nod as the Chick-Fil-A Player of the Game.
