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Creek, Carroll go into state soccer semifinals unbeaten

Beavercreek, Carroll try to keep streaks intact

E.L. Hubbard/Beavercreek defeated Lakota West, 1-0, in boys soccer regional finals at Bellbrook High School Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer Updated 1:53 PM Tuesday, November 8, 2011

All season long, teams have wanted to pin that first loss on the Beavercreek High School boys soccer team.

And after 22 games, the next team to do it will be the first.

Beavercreek enters today’s state semifinal game as the last unbeaten team in Division I, a record that hasn’t gone unnoticed to opponents. Beavercreek goes for win No. 22 (it has one tie) against Powell Olentangy Liberty (15-2-3) at 7 p.m. today at Hilliard Bradley High School near Columbus.

The winner advances to the D-I state final 7 p.m. Friday at Columbus Crew Stadium. Defending state champ Cleveland St. Ignatius (20-1-0) and Copley (15-2-4) play in the other semifinal.

“We caught a couple breaks during the season,” Beavercreek coach John Guiliano said. “When we came through the rough part of our schedule with Centerville, Wayne and a couple other teams in a two-week period, we started thinking about the capabilities this team has.”

The Beavers were well aware what keeper Alex Gill provided on defense. The senior has 10 of the team’s 11 shutouts, including a 1-0 win over Lakota West in the regional final Saturday.

“He’s got good concentration and his restarts both in punts and goal kicks are above average,” Guiliano said. “And he’s very quick to the ball.”

Beavercreek’s lone tie came in a 1-1 game with Olentangy Orange on Oct. 1. That didn’t prevent the Beavers from setting the school record for wins in a season, topping the 2008 state runner-up team’s 20-2-1 season.

In D-II, Carroll looks to keep its undefeated season going in a 7 p.m. state semifinal match with Columbus St. Francis DeSales (13-6-2) at Bellbrook.

Richfield Revere (17-0-4) and Lexington (14-6-1) play in the other semifinal.

The Patriots haven’t lost in 35 matches dating back to their D-II state championship run last season when Cin. Moeller topped them 3-1 on Sept. 21, 2010.

Carroll is making its eighth trip to state overall and won the D-II title its last two appearances (2010, 2008), while DeSales has four state titles (2009, 1997, 1992, 1996) in 12 previous appearances.

Beavercreek is making its fifth appearance at the state level and last advanced in 2009.

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