Photo courtesy of the DIAA
Salesianum held the #1 seed Caesar Rodney Riders scoreless securing the Division I Boys Soccer State Championship.
The Riders were the number 1 seed in this year’s Division I Boys Soccer State Championship as they went undefeated in the regular season with a record of 14-0-1. The tie came in their season opener against the Charter School of Wilmington after they won 14 in a row.
Salesianum was the #3 seed in this year’s tournament with an 11-4 record during the regular season. All of their losses were to out of state opponents. Their worst loss this season came from the feet of St Benedict’s Prep (NJ) who is the #2 ranked soccer team in the country. The other three losses came to perennial soccer powerhouses St Augustine Prep (NJ), Rancocas Valley Regional (NJ), and Kingsway HS (NJ).
Salesianum’s defense was ready for the challenge against Caesar Rodney having faced such good competition during the regular season. The Riders came into the playoffs averaging a little over 5 goals a game. Sallies held them scoreless in the biggest game of the year. The defense was anchored by Sallies goalie Zachary Bittner who made 9 saves in the contest.
Salesianum looked to none other than Jake Ross for the offense. Jake scored the only two goals in the game against Appoquinimink in the semifinals to advance to the championship game. Ross would again be the only goal scorer in the championship as well. Jake took a long pass from Noah Holgado he let the ball bounce once then kicked it out of the air depositing it in the corner of the net for a 1-0 lead. Ross’s second goal came off a penalty kick as he was fouled inside the box by a Riders defender.
Salesianum had won 10 straight state championships before suffering a loss to Appoquinimink last season. This victory gives them 11 championships out of the last 12 and 17 out of 20 since coach Scott Mosier took over as head coach.
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