DANVERS — As defending state champions, the No. 4 St. John’s Prep Eagles (14-2-2) had their eyes set on back-to-back titles.
No. 20 Ludlow had other ideas in a wild, up-and-down, 3-2 finish in sudden death.
Despite adding, “It’s hard to watch somebody celebrate on your field,” Prep coach David Crowell showed respect.
“Great high school soccer game. It was clean, it was intense – just a hard way to go out,” said Crowell, whose Eagles cruised past Boston Latin, 3-0, in the first round.
Ludlow entered 15-1-2, and Crowell knew his group would have to up its intensity.
“We knew we were going to be in a [tough] game… that team had nothing to lose,” he said. “They were coming in with a huge chip on their shoulder.”
It was a slow start offensively for the Eagles in the first half, who managed just one shot on goal. Ludlow controlled most of the offensive pressure during that time, and took a 1-0 lead with 11 minutes remaining in the half.
But once Ludlow got on the board, tides changed. The Eagles ramped up the pressure and found their equalizer eight minutes into the second half.
Garrison Murphy put in a dangerous ball from more than 30 yards out, which was chased and finished by junior Matt Foley to even the game, 1-1.
It didn’t stop there.
Ten minutes later, Murphy made another play, earning a penalty kick for his team after being taken down in the penalty box. Captain Jake Vana stepped up to the spot and fired one home to give the Eagles their first lead (2-1).
“It was more intensity and the willingness to play that much harder,” Crowell said about the second half.
Although the Eagles put themselves in the driver’s seat, they were far from safe. A defensive error led to a strong Ludlow finish, and a tied game with 15 minutes to go in, well, someone’s season (2-2).
Vana had another opportunity from the penalty spot with seven minutes remaining, but an impressive, diving save from Ludlow’s goalkeeper forced overtime.
Crowell took complete responsibility for the missed opportunity.
“That’s on me. As the coach, I should have chosen another player. We shouldn’t have the same kids take two PK’s. I take total responsibility for that,” he said.
The game got even more tense when each side had goals called off towards the end of the game, sending dueling fan sections into emotional rollercoasters.
Despite the visitors leaving with the last laugh on a corner kick, Crowell couldn’t have been more proud of his group.
“These kids worked their tails off. We won another Catholic Conference Championship,” he said. “There is nothing to be hanging their heads about.”
