Augusta Prep falls to Westminster's quest for revenge
Augusta Prep soccer coach Doug Williamson didn't have to say much to get his team ready to play Tuesday.
Thomas Knerr, of Augusta Prep, charges to the goal against Westminster. The Cavaliers lost Tuesday's game 2-1 as the Wildcats bounced back from a beating last year.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
The Cavaliers were motivated enough because they were playing rival Westminster. Prep blanked Westminster last season at the Augusta school's campus, so the Wildcats were out for a little revenge.
"Winning at their place last year was one of the highlights of my career," senior David Knerr said before the season started. "It doesn't get much more perfect than that."
Williamson said his team thinks too much about Westminster.
It didn't matter on Tuesday.
The Cavaliers lost 2-1 in front of a capacity crowd at Westminster.
The game, however, was full of controversy.
In the first half, two of Prep's goals that could have changed the outcome of the game were taken off the board by officials.
In the 14th minute, the ball trickled into the goal after a Prep corner kick. The official closest to the play signaled a goal. However, an official about 90 yards away called a Cavalier for interference and the goal was wiped away.
"I have never seen anything like that in almost 40 years of involvement with soccer," Williamson said.
About 16 minutes later, Cary Goldsmith scored on a header but again the goal was taken away, this time for a foul against Goldsmith.
The Cavaliers (5-3) received a penalty kick and Knerr connected to give Prep a 1-0 lead, but it didn't last long.
On the ensuing possession, Westminster's Anthony Lehn scored to tie the game at one.
"I think that took a lot of momentum away from us," Williamson said.
"That was about as quick of a turnaround as you can get."
Blake Underwood added a second goal for Westminster in the 60th minute for the final 2-1 margin.
Prep goalkeeper John Kenney had 12 saves, including two lunging saves that could have put the game out of hand.
"Give credit to Westminster, they were the better team today," Williamson said of the Wildcats, who outshot Prep 19-7. "We haven't played in a while, but we'll be ready when they come to our place."