Clover boys headed to soccer state final

Neil Diamond was blaring out of the Clover Memorial Stadium speakers after Tuesday night’s 4A boys’ soccer Upper State championship game. That had to be a good sign, right?

Clover was more aggressive in the tackle, quicker to the ball and scored twice on counter-attacks through Brandon LaForge and Parker Largen to beat Wade Hampton 2-0. The Blue Eagles advance to the 4A boys’ soccer state final Saturday against River Bluff, Clover’s first boys’ soccer state title appearance.

“I thought we played brilliant tonight,” said third-year coach Graham Stafford. “To be honest with you, that’s one of the best we’ve played all season.”

Clover’s fast start should have been a warning to the visitors. The Blue Eagles carved out a couple of early chances through left back Buddy Curtin’s speed.

In the 24th, defender Matt Ringler pushed up for a Clover free kick from the midway line and found himself unmarked and given time to settle Largen’s long ball in the box. Wade Hampton defenders recovered at the last moment, deflecting Ringler’s effort on goal over for a corner.

The hosts spurned an even clearer chance two minutes later, captain Dylan Jones dispossessing a Wade Hampton defender near half field to set up a 2-on-1. He timed the pass to Largen perfectly, but his stabbed effort past keeper Jesse Klein rolled wide of the right post.

Clover’s fire grew in the second half and they finally cracked the Wade Hampton back line. A long ball sent LaForge scurrying down the right channel and he outran the Generals’ backline before finishing past Klein to open the scoring in the 60th minute.

“Both their goals were defensive breakdowns and that’s been our story all year long,” said Wade Hampton coach Damon Dixon.

Wade Hampton pushed on, throwing players forward and they nearly equalized when Kike Molina’s corner was met first time by Eden Mawi. The ball shot through Clover keeper Austin Gunnels’ gloves, but was headed off the line.

The Blue Eagles continued to create chances on the counter and they finally killed the game dead with a couple of minutes left, Largen dancing past a couple of out-stretched legs before lashing in from the edge of the penalty area to send the Memorial Stadium home crowd into jubilation.

Turning point

LaForge’s second half goal - after several clear-cut misses - put Clover at ease. The one-goal lead allowed the Blue Eagles to sit in and soak up Wade Hampton’s pressure, before springing counter-attacks like the one that birthed Largen’s game-killer and cued up the Neil Diamond.

“I thought their line was a little high so we could hit them on the break,” said Stafford.

Critical

Clover defended resolutely, Stafford’s back line producing the team’s 12th shutout of the campaign. Had Wade Hampton bagged an early goal it would’ve changed the entire game plan for the Blue Eagles, who aren’t blessed with natural goal scorers. That will be key again Saturday in the final.

Star contributions

LaForge and Largen got the goals, but Clover’s man of the match was probably Ringler. Tasked with subduing Wade Hampton’s All-State forward Erich Wilklow - who scored in the Generals’ playoff wins over Greenwood, Dutch Fork and twice last Saturday to knock out Nation Ford - Ringler hardly put a foot wrong. Wilklow mustered two shots on goal, one from about 35 yards, and the other a tame effort straight at Gunnels.

One quick stretch in the first half, during which Ringler nutmegged a Wade Hampton player, then won two crunching tackles before feeding a teammate, summed up an excellent performance by the Blue Eagles defender.

“That was the game plan, cut off his feet, get tight to him, give him no space to turn, and (Ringler) was unreal,” said Stafford. “To a man tonight, they stood up when counted.”

On deck

The Blue Eagles face River Bluff in Saturday’s 4A state final. That match begins at 6 p.m. at Irmo High School.

“Now it’s about doing homework on those boys,” said Stafford. “We’ll enjoy tonight and then we get back to the drawing board. It’s a brand new season again.”

Box score

Clover 2, Wade Hampton 0

Clover: Brandon LaForge (60), Parker Largen (76)

Shutout: Austin Gunnels

Records: Clover 19-6-1; Wade Hampton 20-6

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Clover boys headed to soccer state final."