WHS boys fall
Published on 5/13/2008
By R.G. Greene
rgreene@gtowntimes.com
DANIEL ISLAND - The best offense often can be a good defense.
For the Waccamaw High boys soccer team that was certainly the case on Tuesday night at Bishop England.
Playing the Class AA Lower State championship without leading scorer Justin Blomdhal - who was sidelined with a concussion - the Warriors offense was clearly affected.
But an inspired defensive effort almost made up the difference.
Eventually, Bishop England broke through, George Khoury's second-half goal accounting for the game's lone score and earning the Bishops a hard-fought 1-0 decision and a chance at their fourth consecutive state championship.
But when Waccamaw coach Ben Schoen looks back on Tuesday night, he won't remember a team that fell so much as he will one that played with a champion's heart.
"We played a great game," Schoen said. "I'm proud of all of our players. Their effort was phenomenal. They gave it everything they had."
A Newberry College signee and team captain, Blomdahl had found the back of the net 39 times on the season. In his absence, Waccamaw could sustain only limited attacks and BE enjoyed a comfortable margin in shots on goal.
But Waccamaw's physical, aggressive defense neutralized that advantage for much of the game. Cheered on by a vocal crowd that had made the trip down from Pawleys Island and Blomdahl, who often led the cheering from the sidelines, the Warriors were able to withstand repeated BE attacks, allowing only Khoury's goal with 27:07 remaining.
"Defense has been one of the cornerstones of our team," Schoen said.
"Our plan was to go right at them defensively and that's what we did. I was very pleased with our intensity. We were here to play."
Some of Waccamaw's best scoring chances came in the game's final minutes. As the last seconds wound down, the Warriors had a final corner kick, but Bishop England keeper Brandon Costa was able to clear the ball and preserve the victory.
The Bishops, who have won seven of the last 10 Class AA state titles, will play the winner of the Emerald/Walhalla game for the championship on Saturday in Columbia.
