BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WV News) – A turnover in the back led to a University counterattack and a golden goal from Davion Huckaby less than two minutes into overtime as the Hawks eliminated the Bridgeport Indians, 2-1, at Wayne Jamison Field in the Class AAA Region I, Section 2 final on Thursday night.
“Really tough, especially with the way we played,” Bridgeport coach Keith Dumas said. “They had two shots on goal and they scored.”
Bridgeport’s first chance came in the fifth minutes when Jackson Cogar lobbed the ball over a defender for himself, but couldn’t get a touch by the goalkeeper, Finn Worstorff.
“We didn’t finish our chances,” coach Dumas said. “I never once thought going into overtime that we were going to lose that game….our guys played great.”
Tucker Pomeroy nearly scored off a corner kick a few minutes later, but Worstorff was able to cover.
University’s Brady Grubb got a free kick in a good spot in the 23rd minute, but the wall blocked the initial attempt and the second chance was also deflected wide.
Then the Hawks broke the deadlock: Huckabay got loose on the left side of the box and had his initial blocked shot then get deflected off of him and into the goal in the 29th minute.
Bridgeport goalkeeper Andrew Dumas, playing through an injury, made a good save on a low attempt in the 33rd minute. Brock Shuba broke through the middle and forced a save out of Dumas in the 49th minute.
With 30:05 left, the Tribe earned a penalty kick and Cogar made no mistake, rocketing the shot to the left as Worstorff dove to his right.
Cogar’s 30th goal of the season tied the score at 1.
Huckaby’s run drew a foul 25 yards from goal in the 65th minute, and he nearly gave his team the lead back, hitting the crossbar with a free kick.
Cogar broke through with five minutes left; Worstorff saved the first, then the rebound was headed wide.
One mistake was all it took.
“We lost possession in the midfield, didn’t get recovered, and the guy made a great finish,” coach Dumas said. “We know he’s good on the ball.”
Bridgeport bows at 14-4-4.
“We had a helluva season; it just didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” Coach Dumas said.
University (12-7-2) advances to play Wheeling Park, double OT winners over Morgantown, in the Region I final at John Marshall on Tuesday.
By Michael Minnich (WV News)
