Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
JACKSON — North Adams … the slipper still fits.
After winning their first-ever district title, the Green Devils have been playing with house money while displaying a brand of soccer that is pressure-free.
That loose, free-flowing brand of soccer now has them one game away from the Final 4.
Thanks to a late first-half goal and stellar defense, led by keeper Thad Moore, the Green Devils (18-2-1) continued their historic season with a 1-0 victory over South Webster (16-2-3) on Wednesday in a Division V regional semifinal.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
“Our guys battled hard, and brought so much energy to the game. It may not be the prettiest at times, but they make it happen and find a way to get it done,” North Adams coach Kirk Bunn said. “We lost in the district final last season to Minford, who made the state championship. I think that was sort of the pivot that set things off for this year. They knew they belonged here.”
A steady downpouring rain certainly didn’t make things easier for either team, but they adjusted as needed, although the chances were a little limited.
With the ball sliding a little quicker than usual and rolling at a faster pace, each team only managed a pair of shots in the opening 30 minutes with nothing crossing the goal line.
But with footing finally established, it came down to who was getting that all-important goal.
There was a scramble in the box with 5:29 left in the first half, and the ball landed in front of Kaleb Eldridge off a shot attempt. NA’s senior ripped the rebound into the back of the net to put the Green Devils ahead 1-0 heading into halftime.
PHOTOS: Images from North Adams’ regional semifinal win over South Webster
“My teammate, Preston Call, dribbled in and took his shot since they played it in from the short corner,” Eldridge said. “The ball got deflected, but I managed to get a hold of it in the air and put it right in the corner.”
South Webster didn’t change much in its approach once the second half began. The Jeeps were still getting the looks they wanted, but it couldn’t get anything past Moore.
No matter how slippery or wet the ball was, Moore’s hands were desert dry and his focus was intensely locked on keeping the Jeeps off the board.
“South Webster’s offense is insane. But our defense played such a great game,” Moore said. “Our wings did great, our back line was great and seeing those guys play how they did makes things easier for me, and makes me want to do it for them.”
The Jeeps, however, did create a perfect chance and managed to connect on a goal to equalize, only for it to be waved off due to an offsides call.
Although it was a huge punch to the gut, it didn’t fully take the winds out of their sails.
SW kept getting into the final third of the field, but the Green Devil defense, alongside Moore, was right there to keep the Jeeps off the board.
And, eventually, the clock struck zero to send North Adams to the Elite 8.
“This is such a great feeling. Ever since the beginning of the season, we knew we could accomplish some great things,” North Adams’ Colin Tolle said. “We set our goals high, and winning that district title was special and we just kept that momentum going. Our fans were so great and gave us a lot of energy to have that extra push when we needed it.”
As South Webster’s season comes to a close, North Adams advances to a Division V regional final at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Zane Trace High School. The Green Devils will meet with Milford Fairbanks, who defeated Hiland to move on.
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