High school boys soccer: Early goals helps Eastside secure fourth-straight district crown
Last time the Eastside Rams and Suwannee Bulldogs’ boys soccer teams met on the pitch, it was for a regular-season contest on Nov. 15.
The Rams and Bulldogs’ first matchup ended in a 1-1 tie as both programs were still knocking off the early-season rust.
However, on Tuesday night when Eastside hosted Suwannee at Citizens Field in the District 2-4A final match, the second-seeded Rams weren’t interested in tying with the top-seeded Bulldogs again. Instead, Eastside topped Suwannee 2-0 to claim its fourth consecutive district title and third under head coach Greg Sawyer.
“For sure, absolutely,” said Sawyer when asked if Eastside’s past district wins add pressure. “We talk about the importance of the moment and making sure to rise to the moment.
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Here’s how it happened.
The Rams’ quick goal was in the script
Eastside didn’t hesitate to rise to the moment Sawyer spoke about.
After just 45 seconds of game clock had expired, Eastside junior Jayven Cromwell struck the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and slipped it perfectly under the crossbar and over the outstretched hands of Suwannee’s junior keeper, Alex Mabey.
It happened just as the Rams scripted.
“It was a strategy,” Sawyer said. “We wanted to start fast. So we pressed really hard in the beginning and we pressed really hard in the first quarter. We felt that was our best opportunity to get them on their heels.”
And instead of losing its intensity like many teams tend to do after an early goal, Eastside kept its foot on the gas.
“We like the early goal,” said Sawyer. “But then we continue to press … Our first quarter was an all-attacking quarter.”
Sophomore Jonas Traktuev was the next to strike for the Rams, sending in a quick free kick that caught everyone by surprise with less than 18 minutes to play in the first period.
Once again, it was all in the script.
“We practice that,” Sawyer said. “If our players don’t ask for 10 yards, then the ball is live. If the other team gets out of position during that time, our players are instructed to take the kick for the open net.”
Traktuev’s successful free kick would be the final goal of the night.
Andres Stuve, Eastside defense secures the shutout
While the Rams’ offense was the story early, it was Eastside’s defense that made the difference down the stretch.
“Everything builds from the back four,” Sawyer said.
And while the Rams’ backline stood tall, Eastside’s senior goalkeeper, Andres Stuve, might’ve stood taller.
Stuve, who stretches 6-foot-3, fills the goal nicely. But he’s also good at his craft.
After Eastside scored its first goal of the night, the Bulldogs were quick to threaten. Suwannee generated a clean kick at the goal with 33 minutes to play in the first half, but Stuve was there to make the leaping save, sending the ball out of bounds.
“We trust him completely,” Sawyer said of Stuve. “He’s an incredibly selfless player. He really puts the team on his shoulders and he performs. It’s impressive.”
Tuesday’s win over Suwannee was Eastside’s third shutout of the season.
Staying alive
With Tuesday’s win, the Rams advance into the regional quarterfinals – the same round of the playoffs they eliminated the Bulldogs last season.
However, Eastside will have to wait to learn its fate as district tournaments around Class 4A wrap up around the state.
“We’ve gotta see who we play next and start understanding our formations,” Sawyer said. “Start getting everybody healthy and come back out and play again next week.”
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Eastside Rams boys soccer wins district championship over Suwannee
