It was only fitting for the Collegiate Cougars to face the Paul VI Panthers in the finals of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association state soccer championship.  Coming into the frigid Friday night matchup, both teams had played several games over the course of a few days.  The Panthers were making their first appearance in the finals while their feline named brethren were old pros, making their second straight championship appearance.  In the end the Paul VI used their pressure and athleticism to defeat Collegiate 4-2 for their first state championship. 

  Ironically, the Cougars, who were used to applying pressure, had that philosophy applied to them to combine with the loss of senior midfielder Burke Modisett early in the game.

  “That’s a very athletic team,” said Collegiate head coach Charlie Blair. “It made for a long night.  Their midfield was so strong.  Burke went down in the first half.  When he went down it took an option away from us.  They did a better job in keeping the ball.  That just really gave us fits.”

  Early on the two teams went back and forth in goals scored.  Paul VI freshman midfielder Oscar Gonzalez scored on a 25-yard shot that appeared to be an easy stop but bounced through the hands of Collegiate goalie Richard Byrd. 

  Collegiate answered one minute later at the 30 minute mark.  Senior forward Timmy Albright (2 goals in the game, 6 goals in two games) received an assist from sophomore defender Josh Raine to tie the game 1-1. 

  Paul VI kept the pressure on.  Kennedy O’Shea rifled a shot from long range that sailed inches over the outstretched arms of a leaping Byrd to put his team up 2-1. 

  “It’s nothing you can do about that unless you are 6-2,” Blair said. “And he is not [6-2].  He would like to have the other one back.  But you can’t fault the keeper on that.”

  The back and forth theme continued.  Like clockwork Albright tied the game 2-2 off a ricochet goal attempt keeping his team’s championship hopes alive.

  “He’s been special,” Blair said of his star forward. “The guys always believe he can get us a goal.  And he got us two tonight.  He’s always dangerous and makes things happen.”

  It would be the last goal the Cougars would score however. 

  Paul VI added two more scores on goals by midfielder Alex Gosnell and forward David Skipper to seal the victory.  Before the last goal by Skipper however, Collegiate had a chance to tie the game.  But the Cougars’ shot attempt bounced helplessly off the crossbar.  Skipper scored several minutes later and the Panthers claimed their first championship.

  “Last year we lost to them in the state quarterfinals on their field,” said Paul VI head coach Matt Leiva. “They have a great side over there.  We just really tried to work on keeping the ball moving.  I thought we were just a little sharper today.”

  Collegiate made it to the finals last year as a young team.  They felt this was an ample opportunity to bring home the trophy.  According to Blair, they fell short on the scoreboard but not in their intentions and heart.

  “These kids came out here to win,” Blair said. “They didn’t just come out here to participate.  It’s not a lot you can say to them right now.  Last year we lost, we were young and inexperienced.  This year we really believed we belonged here.  We wanted to win.”
 
Collegiate…..............................2 0—2
Paul VI…................................. 2 2—4
C: Albright (2)
PVI: Gonzalez, O’Shea, Gosnell, Skipper
Records: Collegiate (12-5-2), Paul VI (16-7-5)