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Carroll returning to state soccer championship

Collins’ two goals keep Carroll perfect

Photos: Carroll vs. St. Francis DeSales

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By Marc F. Pendleton, Staff Writer Updated 8:44 AM Wednesday, November 9, 2011

BELLBROOK — After being pressed to the limit in too many playoff games, Carroll had just one goal in mind during Tuesday’s state semifinal: End it early.

“We were talking about coming out hard and pressuring,” said super junior forward Trae’ Collins. “After all those other games, it’s been pretty tough, but we fought through it.”

Collins delivered two first-half goals in the opening 10 minutes and Matthew Barnes hammered another in the second half as the Patriots stunned Columbus St. Francis DeSales 3-0 at Bellbrook.

The win boosted the Patriots’ record to 22-0-0. It also landed the defending Division II state champs in Friday’s D-II state title game at Columbus Crew Stadium. Carroll will play Richfield Revere in a rematch of the teams’ 2010 state final. Revere beat Lexington 5-1 in the other state semifinal.

Carroll jumped on DeSales so quickly it not only put the Stallions in unfamiliar catch-up mode, it rocked their entire game plan. DeSales’ offense finally forced play, but Carroll’s defense was up to that challenge.

The Patriots unloaded nine shots on goal and 16 total shots.

“We had a few close encounters,” said freshman Carroll goalkeeper Noah Kummer. “I knew our guys had it in them.”

Collins struck first from inside the box just four minutes into the game. Less than six minutes later he blasted another shot from the near side that was deflected but still found net.

Barnes converted a free kick in the 51st minute from 21 yards after DeSales’ most active player, Josiah Charlemagne, drew the team’s first of three yellow cards.

It was the third double-goal game for Collins.

“Once that happened, we just never got going,” DeSales coach Domenic Romanelli said. “It just took the wind out of us.”

The Patriots are seeking their fourth state title.

“These guys have had a big bull’s-eye on them all year and I’m really proud of them for getting here,” Carroll coach Scott Molfenter said. “Hopefully, we have a little more left in us and we’ll bring something special on Friday.”

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