First-half goals too much for Beavercreek in state semi

Gahanna Lincoln scores twice in five-minute span of first half, ending a surprising tourney run for Beavercreek, 2-0

Beavercreek’s Steven Clark falls to the ground after losing to Gahanna Lincoln 2-0 at the boys Division I state semifinal at Hilliard Bradley High School on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

 Staff photo by Teesha McClam/Dayton Daily News Staff Photogra Beavercreek’s Steven Clark falls to the ground after losing to Gahanna Lincoln 2-0 at the boys Division I state semifinal at Hilliard Bradley High School on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Updated 12:49 AM Wednesday, November 11, 2009

HILLIARD — Coming off two emotional overtime victories to become one of the state’s final four teams remaining, it wasn’t the best time for the Beavercreek High School boys soccer team to face an opponent its coach called “the best high school team I’ve seen in a long while.”

The Beavers surrendered two first-half goals and failed to find much offensive punch in a 2-0 loss to Gahanna Lincoln in a Division I state semifinal on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Hilliard Bradley High School.

The loss ended a two-season run during which Beavercreek earned a combined 35-5-5 record and consecutive appearances in the state semifinals. The Beavers lost last season’s D-I title game 1-0 against Cleveland St. Ignatius before graduating 17 seniors.

With three senior starters on the field Tuesday, the Beavers (15-3-4) had trouble from the start, as Gahanna (21-0-1), who is ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the state, scored two goals within five minutes of each other late in the first half and kept control.

“I think it showed in our legs tonight,” Beavercreek coach John Guiliano said of rebounding from overtime games earlier in the tournament.

Cody Popelas, a junior midfielder, scored both goals for Gahanna, which advanced to its first state final. He netted the first with 10:12 remaining in the first half after teammate Saad Abdul Salaam dribbled around a Beavercreek defender on the left corner, drew out the goalkeeper and passed into the middle. After the ball bounced around for a moment, Popelas popped it into the net for a 1-0 lead.

The second goal came nearly five minutes later, when Popelas took a pass from Tyler Woolum on the right side, collected it and pushed it past the goalkeeper with 5:15 left in the half. Beavercreek had avoided several other close calls in the first half, but Popelas struck quickly.

“That was probably our best first half (in six games),” said Gahanna coach Dwayne Marshall.

With plenty of experience returning, Guiliano said his postgame message included optimism.

“They all feel bad about losing the game, but when we graduated 17 seniors last year, we weren’t even supposed to be close,” he said.

Contact this reporter (937) 225-7389  or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com

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