Grafton’s soccer run comes to a close

A 1-0 loss one game from the state tournament is a tough way to end a season, but it doesn’t diminish what the Grafton High School soccer team accomplished under first year head coach Greg Springman.

The No. 3-seeded Black Hawks lost to No. 2-seeded Delavan-Darien in a Division 2 sectional final in Kewaskum last Saturday.

“It was just a good overall game. Both teams played well defensively,” Springman said.

The Comets had the wind with them in the first half and scored in the 40th minute on a goal by Jonathan Diaz. Estevan Colin got the assist.

With the wind behind them, the Hawks kept pushing in the second half but couldn’t find the back of the net.

“They took advantage of their chance in the first half and we didn’t,” Springman said.

The Hawks, who started the season 0-6-2 with most opponents from the brutal North Shore Conference that includes nationally ranked Whitefish Bay, ripped off five straight victories, including three in the playoffs.

It took time, Springman said, for the players to understand the coaches’ new system and for the coaches to figure out the players’ strengths to put them in places to succeed.

“The kids got real confident in their play. They believed in themselves and their teammates,” Springman said.

“It was a great group of kids to work with, willing to learn and do what’s best for the team.”

The game was the final one for seniors Evan and Bryce Jobe, Carlos Herreman, Nathan Gentz and Noah Scott. Springman said he wished he could coach them longer and hopes younger players follow their lead on and off the field.

The Hawks got to the sectional final by winning at No. 1-seeded Kettle Moraine Lutheran, 2-0, last Thursday.

In a game of few opportunities, senior star Evan Jobe took advantage of his and changed the game.

In the 77th minute of a scoreless game, Jobe got a high-flying pass and did the rest.

“I got a ball from the left wing, I turned, saw the keeper out a little bit, turned and ripped it,” he said.

The ball sailed past the Chargers’ keeper, and the Hawks had a 1-0 lead, as well as momentum and confidence.

“It was crazy,” Jobe’s twin brother Bryce said. “You saw the ball flying. I knew it was over the keeper. I screamed. It was just awesome.”

The play came from an observation.

“We noticed at halftime that their keeper likes to sit really high up and kind of clean up those through balls,” Springman said.

“So we knew with the wind in the second half, we let them know once you get the ball in the middle, get your head up and see where that keeper is. He did a great job. You can’t hit the ball any better than that.”

The Hawks then knew what to do. Being up by a goal with 18 minutes left was not a new situation. Five days earlier, the Hawks scored against Port Washington late in the game and were able to run out the clock in a 2-1 victory that earned them a chance to play KML.

With just more than 10 seconds to play and the Chargers pushing up hard, Hawk Cayden Sumner got by the defense and scored a long goal on what could be called an empty netter.

On the other side of the field, the Hawks’ keeper Charlie Rose could have put out a comfy chair and done his homework for a good portion of the game, even when the Chargers had the wind in the first half.

“We knew they liked to play wide balls, try to beat you on the wing. So our center backs did a great job of covering that and then the outside back filled in the space,” Springman said.

“The defense did a great job staying as a unit and really defending together. I don’t think Charlie made any saves today. He picked up some through balls.”

Rose was credited with three saves.

“It’s a great feeling. We earned it,” senior Carlos Herreman said. “Ultimately, I think we were the better team. It’s a game of who wants it more.”