That was exhilarating — I’m happy our hard work paid off because that was a tough game. Hats off to Sky View, they played really well. – Fremont coach Fred Smith
WOODS CROSS — Both Fremont coach Fred Smith and Sky View coach Doyle Geddes called soccer a cruel game after Tuesday’s semifinal soccer battle between the two teams. They both know that it only takes one quick play to end 80 or so minutes of hard work.
That play came in the first minute of overtime when Fremont’s Alec Ferrin kicked in the golden goal off a throw-in to give the Silver Wolves a 2-1 victory. The goal quickly erased the solid 80 minutes of back-and-forth soccer the two teams sported and left Sky View down on its knees while Fremont celebrated a berth to the state championship Thursday at 7 p.m. against Viewmont.
“That was exhilarating — I’m happy our hard work paid off because that was a tough game,” said Smith. “Hats off to Sky View, they played really well.”
Fremont’s trip to the championship is quite a turnaround for a young and injury-plagued team that missed the playoffs a season ago.
“Last year we felt what it was like to lose a lot,” said Ferrin. “This year we have more confidence and just need to play our game. It’s when we don’t play our game that we struggle.”
The junior admitted he never thought the game would end in the 81st minute after both teams had played so well to force overtime.
“I thought for sure we would be going to penalty kicks,” said Ferrin.
Ferrin’s goal happened so quickly that it stunned the Sky View fans while Fremont’s fans took a minute to process what had just happened before erupting with cheers.
“That was such a good game, my boys played fantastic,” said Geddes. “They deserved a better outcome, but soccer can be a cruel game and you love and hate it for that reason.”
It was the third time this season the Region 1 foes had met, with each team winning one of the prior outings.
“Any time you see a team three times in a season, you know them,” said Smith. "But it doesn't mean you know what will happen."
“Fremont is so good at throw-ins and setting up,” said Geddes.
Both teams scored in the first half, with the Silver Wolves striking first off Parker Huff’s foot in the 14th minute. After a couple of outstanding stops, Preston Taylor was unable to reel in a shot as Sky View’s Gavin Walker knocked in the rebound to tie things up at 1-1 with just over three minutes left to play in the first half.
Taylor and Jacob Lyman each took turns jumping, diving and grabbing for the ball in the second half to blank each other’s squad and send the game into what appeared to be an extension of great defense before Ferrin quickly shut down that theory.
Thursday's championship will take place at Juan Diego High School.