GAME RECAP: South Doyle 2-0 Gibbs
In the Onrise Care High School Game of the Week, the Cherokees break away from the Eagles to claim district bragging rights.
The South-Doyle Cherokees (8-5-2) secured the regular season championship for AA-District 4 in the district’s final match during a Saturday morning encounter at the home of the Gibbs Eagles (6-7-3).
Midfield play dominated the first 30 minutes of the match. South-Doyle freshman midfielder Jude Straussfogel was a key figure early for the Cherokees, playing a major role in developing occasional breakaways.
For Gibbs, senior forward Alex Rhoades demonstrated impressive ball-handling skills in the attacking third. The match marked his return after a series of injuries. On the back line, senior Blake Goosie offered strong leadership for his teammates, and he was assisted in this role by freshman Mikel Van Pelt.
The Eagles’ defense made a strong showing throughout the first half, forming a tight perimeter around the penalty box. Every defender dove to intercept passes and held firm to block shots with their bodies. Eventually, their defense and midfield began to connect with Rhoades and sophomore Benjj Angola to facilitate attacking runs.
The Cherokees had already enjoyed several promising breakaway plays, though they all came up short. The sibling duo of Jude and his older brother, senior forward Tate Straussfogel, skillfully created chances for the visitors. They took several shots early on but were met with strong challenges from Goosie and the rest of the Gibbs back line.
Senior goalie Larreke Blair was another star competitor for the home team. He began playing soccer in February but defended the goal with the skill of a seasoned veteran. He moved back and forth in tandem with the defensive line to block shots and passes, and when facing attacks alone he stood sturdy. At the close of the first half, he rushed the box then dropped back to the net to deflect two threatening kicks from undefended drives.
Late in the first half and in the first 10 minutes of the second, the game spread out slowly from the midfield toward as attackers for both teams found their stride. Set pieces offered the best chances on the net as the game grew increasingly physical. Both sides racked up a substantial foul count, though neither drew a yellow card.
The Cherokees’ first strike came in the 54th minute. Tate Straussfogel found himself with the ball at midfield, passing it quickly to freshman Roger Oseguera Cruz. Cruz received it just outside the left side of the box, pivoted and booted a shot with his right foot to the left corner of the net.
South-Doyle began to control possession in the final 20 minutes, forcing Blair to work earnestly to prevent further damage. By the end of the match, he had collected around a dozen saves, many of them on dives or jumping deflections. He made two more highlight stops in the 62nd minute, deflecting two shots at the crossbar within seconds of each other.
Senior defender Lamin Bangura stepped up late in the second half to lead offensive drives for the home side. In turn, South-Doyle’s senior defender Juan Cervantes, a King’s University commit, raised the intensity to press away any attempts from the Eagles.
A second goal in the 75th minute sealed the result for the Cherokees. In a series of events mirroring Cruz’s goal, sophomore Sebastian Carroll received a pass from Tate Straussfogel alone on the Eagles’ side of the field. He dribbled 20 yards downfield and powered a shot to the left side of the net.
The result means AA-District 4 avoids finishing with all of its members holding a 2-2 district record. South-Doyle clinched the top seed in the district tournament, and Gibbs will hold the fifth seed. Spots two through four will be determined by a tiebreaker among Halls, Fulton and Austin-East.
South-Doyle wraps up the regular season by hosting Seymour (May 2) and Heritage (May 4). Gibbs faces Campbell County (May 1) and Cumberland Gap (May 2). AA-District 4 starts its tournament on May 6.
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South-Doyle Head Coach Samuel Mitchell
On result and goals into the district tournament:
“I thought we played really, really well. We were possessing well, we were getting the ball to the wings, getting it across the box. We lacked that finishing touch, that last person who really wanted to go get to the ball. I thought we really improved on that in the second half. We moved a little bit of how we were playing defensively. It helped up get a little higher and find feet. I think we’ve showed that we can do it. We’ve just got to continue to press on. I just told the boys that we’re into the games that matter. Now it’s time to continue to step up like we have.”
South-Doyle sophomore midfielder Sebastian Carroll
On his performance and mindset moving forward:
“It felt great to get that win. I was really just pushing myself to score. This is my second goal, and it feels great. I want to score more. The goal is winning the district tournament; I think with more ball movement and more connection.
Gibbs Head Coach Tim Pittman
On challenges through the match and hopes for the tournament:
“Early on, I think we were winning the ball in the midfield. We were creating some kinds of chances, but we’ve just got to get in sync. Our offense has to get in sync with our mids, and I think that’s our biggest thing. We’re taking too much time. I went to a diamond formation, but we weren’t winning balls in the second half. Your midfield has got to win balls. And they man-marked us pretty well in the second half. We’re not deep off the bench, but it is what it is. This thing’s still up for grabs. If we still show up and get some breaks, I think we’ve got it.”