In recent years, teams from Montgomery County’s periphery have encroached on the soccer dominance of traditional Downcounty powers. But Monday night, the Class 4A West Region championship game went back to the future with an old-school Battle of Bethesda.
In a game worthy of the high-level rivalry, Walter Johnson got a goal from junior Lucas Szabo, stingy goalkeeping by juniorMichael Swindale, and stellar defense from senior Michael Ramsey, in a 1-0 victory at Whitman.
“Look at this crowd. It’s great,” said Szabo. “To beat them here, in a game that means as much as this, you can’t ask for any more.”
With it’s eighth straight win, Walter Johnson (13-4) advances to the Maryland 4A state semifinals on the artificial turf field at Broadneck on Thursday. WJ will play Bladensburg or Bowie.
Szabo scored his 13th goal of the season in the 55th minute Monday night after two Whitman players failed to clear. When the ball deflected off a Viking defender, Szabo was in perfect position to fire a shot into the lower right corner.
After that, Swindale (seven saves) kept Whitman (11-7) off the board with his active work in goal. Whitman defender Rodrigo Zuleta drove several promising balls in the box, but Swindale got to most of them before they reached their intended receiver.
WJ also got outstanding play from Ramsey, who missed the regular season meeting between the teams, a 2-0 Whitman victory. This time, the sweeper made the defensive play of the game when his lunging effort prevented a goal by Whitman’s Daniel McDowell in the 64th minute.
It was WJ’s third straight shutout in its impressive playoff run that includes 3-0 victories over Northwest (quarterfinals) and Blair (semifinals).
“Being healthy and switching to a 3-5-2 has really made the difference,” said Ramsey. “And our goalie is playing absolutely great right now. He’s come up big at just the right time.”
Wildcats strike
» Lucas Szabo has 25 goals in two seasons for WJ.
» WJ’s last region title came in 2003 when it beat Sherwood, 5-4.
» Other defensive standouts for WJ were junior Austin Spies and senior Anthony Tossounian.
