Perry Hall boys soccer coach Daniel Skelton told his players something even they didn?t believe after a close loss to Towson two months ago: The Gators would be good enough to play for their first state title.
“We were trying to think about it, and it was like, ‘this is not going to happen,'” senior sweeper Josh Spivey said. “And we’re here now.”
Now will take place tonight at 7:30 when the Gators (17-1-3) take the field at South River High in Edgewater against Montgomery County?s Magruder (18-0), which is making its first appearance in the state final since winning it all in 2001.
But for the Gators, their run to the championship began on Sept. 25, when Skelton, a first-year coach who was hired from Patapsco last spring, addressed his players after they suffered a 1-0 loss to Towson, which is perennially among the state?s best teams.
“We made a commitment to each other after that game,” Skelton said. “We had a sinking feeling after that game and we didn’t want to feel it again. From that point on we were determined. Every game we’ve come out we’ve taken one game at a time, and they’ve attacked every single team as if it’s a state championship.”
Perry Hall made Skelton?s words come true when the Gators pulled one of the biggest surprises of the tournament ? boys? or girls?? by posting a thorough, 4-0 victory over Anne Arundel County champion Severna Park.
“Usually soccer here doesn’t get a whole lot of recognition,” junior goalkeeper Zack Kane said. “It was more fuel to the fire to push us in practice. When we played Severna Park, it was all out on them. Everything that has been built up.”
The Gators have scored 10 goals in their four postseason games, but they’ve also recorded three straight shutouts. Of the team’s 17 wins, 13 have been shutouts, which can be contributed to a defense led by Spivey, who will play for Towson next season.
“Our destiny is in our own hands here,” Kane said. “If Magruder thinks this is going to be a walk, they have another thing coming.”
