The Trinity boys’ soccer team secured a spot in the regional semifinals with a narrow 1-0 victory over South Harrison High School on the evening of March 15, 2024. The match, held in Morgantown, featured intense defensive play from both teams, making the crucial goal in the 66th minute a decisive moment for the No. 3 seeded Warriors.
Austin Porta’s Critical Goal
Austin Porta emerged as the hero for Trinity, scoring the match’s only goal after a well-executed throw-in from Jonathan Sheffstall. Porta found himself in the right position at the far post, nudging the ball into the net to secure the hard-fought win. “This was one of those games where the first goal means everything,” Porta said, reflecting on the pressure of the moment. His goal allowed the Warriors to maintain their composure as they closed out the match.
Throughout the game, Trinity demonstrated dominance in possession, although quality chances were limited for both sides. The Warriors had previously defeated South Harrison 3-0 in the regular season, but this playoff encounter proved to be a more challenging contest. South Harrison’s defense effectively frustrated Trinity’s attempts to break through, employing a compact and disciplined strategy.
Defensive Strategies and Key Moments
The first half saw several promising opportunities for Trinity, particularly in the early minutes. Evan Knight almost found the net in the 17th minute with a shot that narrowly missed the target. Parker Hopkins had another close chance shortly after, but his effort was thwarted just before crossing the goal line. As the match progressed, South Harrison mounted its own offensive threat, most notably when Peyton Heckert’s long-range shot struck the crossbar, leaving the Hawks just inches away from scoring.
In the second half, the intensity heightened as both teams pushed for an opening goal. Trinity’s defense, led by goalkeeper Parker Hopkins, who took over for Collin Friend, remained resolute against South Harrison’s counterattacks. The Warriors’ backline successfully neutralized any threatening moves from the Hawks, ensuring that the match remained tightly contested.
Following Porta’s goal, Trinity continued to control the game by utilizing strategic long passes and maintaining possession. Coach Dan Lohmann praised his team’s patience and composure, noting that they had anticipated a tough matchup. “They had improved so much since we first saw them,” Lohmann said. “We knew we had to be patient and maintain our composure, and to be ready when our opportunity came.”
With this victory, Trinity now prepares to host Moorefield in the semifinals on Saturday at 15:00, following Moorefield’s impressive 4-0 win against Notre Dame. The Warriors are eager to build on this momentum as they strive for a shot at the championship.
The upcoming match promises to be another thrilling encounter as Trinity aims to capitalize on their recent success and continue their journey in the postseason.
