The boys soccer season for Heritage Academy came to a close on Monday, and for the second straight year the Patriots ended their campaign by watching another team celebrate a state championship.
In a “physical” championship bout against Lamar School, Heritage couldn’t overcome an early 2-0 hole that turned into a 4-1 defeat in the MAIS Class 4A Division II title game.
“It didn’t turn out the way we wanted, but still (it’s) a great accomplishment to get there,” head coach Will Pearson said. “Only two teams do, and so I’m very proud of our boys for one, getting there again for the second year. We knew going in it was going to be a game. It was going to take the whole 80 minutes.”
After falling behind by two goals, Jack Clemons got Heritage (13-6) on the board before the halftime buzzer, and Pearson used the time to try and get his team back focused and prepared to make a comeback.
“I said, ‘We’ve got 40 more minutes. You have to lock in,’” Pearson recalled. “I felt like they played hard, they gave their heart, it’s just the ball wouldn’t bounce our way. We had our options real early and I felt like we never could get the momentum swung back our way. (It was) a physical game, everytime we play Lamar it’s a physical game. Hats off to Lamar, they had a great year. It’s been us and Lamar all year and we kind of knew that we were going to see them there and they had one of their best games when it mattered. Our boys are hurting but I’m so proud of them. Now it’s time to get ready for next year and hope to get back there and have a different outcome.”
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