Chapel Field experienced challenging competition this soccer season, according to their coach. However, the Lions were not prepared for what they encountered on Wednesday night when they faced off against Loudonville Christian.
Loudonville Christian, led by junior striker Ethan Quadrini, dominated the game by scoring five goals within the first 23 minutes. The Lions suffered a 9-1 defeat in the state regional final at Goshen High School’s Coliseum.
Coach Brad McDuffie admitted, “They were just very good.”
It wasn’t surprising considering the Eagles’ impressive record. They had scored nine goals on five occasions and even recorded eight goals twice. Quadrini, a fan of world superstar Ronaldo, excelled with 41 goals and 23 assists this season.
The cold weather, with a wind chill of 36 degrees, added to Chapel Field’s discomfort. And to make matters worse, Quadrini wasted no time and scored a goal with his left foot, just 85 seconds into the game, from a 23-yard shot.
Quadrini’s performance was outstanding, but midfielder Ben Hoffman played even better. Hoffman’s precise passes enabled his teammates to beat any offsides trap set by the Lions. McDuffie confessed, “You can’t simulate that kind of speed, and our guys were shocked by it.”
Hoffman set up Quadrini in the seventh minute, with a shot from 8 yards that eluded the save attempt by goalkeeper William Wilson. In the eighth minute, Quadrini managed to beat JoJo Reis’ slide tackle and scored the third goal with a shot inside the left post.
McDuffie admitted that his team struggled to respond initially, stating, “Our guys just didn’t know how to react at first.”
The last two goals, securing a 5-0 lead, came within 13 seconds of each other. From 53 yards out, Hoffman dropped in a pass that bounced once before Quadrini shot it over Wilson, who was rushing towards him. Quadrini then scored his fifth goal from a difficult angle, surprising Wilson.
McDuffie pointed out, “They were able to do things, kind of play to angles. I think you have to have a special player to get those kinds of touches.”
In the second half, JoJo Reis scored a goal five minutes in, Ben Hoffman scored twice, and Asher Torres scored a second attempt on the goal line.
Chapel Field, ranked 13th, ended their season with a record of 8-5. They only lost three seniors, with notable starters Jonah McDuffie and Michael Bonagura, who are also basketball standouts. McDuffie scored the lone goal for the Lions, a 30-yard looping shot into the upper right corner.
Despite the loss, Coach Brad McDuffie believes the season was a positive experience for his young team. He mentioned the growth in numbers and having a bench and reserves for the first time. McDuffie stated, “I think it’s a good season to build on in terms of going into the future, with a good group, a good solid core that’s going to come up together.”
Loudonville Christian, ranked fifth, will return to the Coliseum for a state semifinal match a week from Friday. They will face the winner of the regional final between Chazy and Lisbon, which promises to be an entertaining game.
Brad McDuffie acknowledged the Eagles’ dedication, noting that most of them have been playing together since pre-kindergarten. He added, “They play at a very advanced, high-level with very high-level touches.”
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Chapel Field falls to Loudonville Christian in boys soccer regional
Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.
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