Cross Keys Boys Soccer Fall Short in Semifinals

The boys soccer team fell 3-0 at Westminster in the semifinals on Wednesday evening, ending a 2011 campaign that brought the first state Final Four berth in recent school history.

The Westminster Wildcats’ size and physicality won out over the speed and quickness of Cross Keys Indians. The Indians, who tried to press the issue offensively in the second half, had trouble with Westminster’s taller, stronger defenders.

“When the ball’s in the air, we’re at a tremendous disadvantage,” said Cross Keys head coach Bryan Wallace. 

The Indians (15-6-1) dramatically improved upon their previous performance against Region 6-AA rival Westminster, which took a 4-1 decision during the regular season on April 1. 

“It’s the best team I’ve ever coached,” Wallace added. “Maybe not the most skilled, but the best team. A lot of things to build on. These guys have left an example for the teams that will come after them.”

Robby Greenfield found the net twice for Westminster. A spirited home crowd cheered Westminster (18-4) to two first-half goals, then the defense — and the clinching score by Greenfield with 13:42 left in the game — helped keep the Indians at bay.

“This was our best performance (of the playoffs) tonight,” said Westminster head coach Scott Snyder. “We’ve had good intentions, but we really hadn’t been sharp. But tonight I thought we came out sharp and were sharp the whole game.”

The Wildcats got on the board just six minutes into the game as Harrison Butker struck first off an assist by Drew Little. Then Greenfield scored the first of his two goals in the 32nd minute of the first half. On that play, Tyler Hilliard struck a free kick to Jack Kidd, who then crossed to Greenfield, and the Michigan signee executed some fancy ball handling before knocking it home.

“He’s been coming through for us big in the tournament,” Snyder said of his star senior midfielder. 

Greenfield’s second goal — and the one that put the game out of reach for Cross Keys — was off a throw-in by Kidd, who gathered the ball up on the sideline in Indians territory and led Greenfield past a tired Cross Keys back line for a one-on-one scoring opportunity against keeper Roberto Ramos. Greenfield tapped the ball into the right corner for the third Wildcats goal.

Westminster will look for its ninth state title on Saturday when it plays at another region rival, Greater Atlanta Christian. GAC, a 2-0 semifinals winner over North Oconee, took a 3-2 win over Westminster in the league title game, the teams’ only previous meeting on the season.

Prior to Wednesday’s Final Four loss, Cross Keys amassed a seven-game unbeaten streak and won four in a row. The Indians recorded 13 shutouts in their 15 victories this season.

Cross Keys’ 2011 playoff run included wins over No. 2 seed Union County, 4-2, No. 4 seed North Murray 3-1, and No. 1 seed Toombs County, 4-0.

Correction: Cross Keys boys soccer made the semifinals in 1983 and placed third when it was an open state championship. We origionally reported that it was the school's first appearance in the school's history. We regret the error.