Deer Lakes boys soccer continues dramatic run through postseason

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, November 14, 2018 | 9:09 PM

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It looked like déjà vu late Tuesday night.

Deer Lakes found itself in a one-goal hole against section rival Shady Side Academy as time ticked away in the PIAA Class AA semifinals, the Lancers’ season minutes away from ending one victory shy of a trip to the state finals — just as Shady Side denied them a chance at the WPIAL championship game two weeks prior.

But then the Lancers conjured up the magic they continue to employ during their historic postseason run. Two goals and six minutes later, the journey continued, Deer Lakes shocking Shady Side Academy with a 2-1 victory that sent the Lancers to the PIAA final for the first time in school history.

“The great thing about this team is you never know who’s going to step up next,” said sophomore Michael Sullivan, whose goal with 1 minute, 16 seconds left — on a throw-in — provided the game-winner. “There’s always that next-man-up attitude. I think we can pull it out. I give us a chance in the last 10 seconds any day of the week. I believe in us.”

That belief was forged during the season but continues to grow during a state playoff run seemingly dreamed up by a Hollywood screenwriter focused on crafting the most dramatic tale possible.

Consider: Deer Lakes (21-1-1), which until this season never even appeared in the state playoffs, won its first PIAA game in double overtime; beat defending state champion and perennial power Quaker Valley in the quarterfinals on a goal with just over three minutes remaining; and then conquered nemesis Shady Side Academy with two late goals in the semifinals.

“It’s crazy,” Sullivan summarized.

The Lancers were determined to avoid a repeat of a 1-0 loss to Shady Side Academy in the WPIAL semifinals. In that game, they dominated in possession and shots but couldn’t find the back of the net. The first half Tuesday looked eerily similar, with Deer Lakes missing on some strong early scoring opportunities and going into halftime with a scoreless tie.

“At halftime, we discussed we had to put the work in, we had to win the first balls, and it was going to come to us that way,” sophomore Colton Spence said.

Shady Side Academy put Deer Lakes on the brink when Wally Navid scored early in the second half. But while the Lancers showed some frustration — Spence was yellow-carded midway through the half — they ultimately kept pressing, following their coach’s halftime talk.

“I told the guys at half, I was just sick of seeing us not put any pressure or anything onto the ball on the set pieces, on the throw-ins, letting it easily just go into the keeper’s hand,” Deer Lakes coach Jordan Wiegand said. “We’ve got to make him work a little harder. Who would’ve thought, that’s what they ended up doing, and we got what we deserved.”

Indeed, Deer Lakes’ goals came off a pair of set pieces: Spence got his head on a long Nick Caro free kick and put it into the net with 6:10 remaining, and Sullivan’s long throw glanced off a defender and went into the goal just under five minutes later.

“It’s tough being down 1-0 in a state semifinal game because you know that could be your seniors’ last game,” Sullivan said. “When (Spence’s) goal went in, it was a complete momentum switch, and it really gave us a new life.”

At this point Deer Lakes appears to have nine lives, and the Lancers don’t mind that one bit: They’re heading to Hershey on Saturday with the chance of winning their first state championship.

“We just keep on working together as a family,” Spence said. “It’s a family mentality throughout the entire season, and we’ve just got to keep working together. It’s massive for us (to make the state final). It’s the first time in school history. It’s definitely a milestone, and hopefully we can go there and win.”

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Doug at dgulasy@tribweb.com or via Twitter @dgulasy_Trib.

Tags: Deer Lakes