The foggy pitch at Dover High has become a familiar launching pad for Middletown soccer success the past couple postseasons. The lads 2008 tournament drive to the state title match included a 25-mile trip south to the turf that’s often shrouded in fog as the night progresses.
This year began with more of the same, with Davey Huegel and Jack Gerlitz providing game-winning goals at Dover to thrust the Cavaliers into the Delaware High School Boys Soccer Tournament semifinals once again.
Blue Hen Conference player of the year and two-time all-stater Huegel scored from point-blank range in the final five minutes as No. 5 Middletown (14-3) eliminated No. 4 Seaford (15-2) on Monday night.
The Cavs trailed 1-0 at intermission, but Biaggio Tocci continued a strong postseason push with a tying goal midway through the second half, assisted by Thomas Homier.
“It helps to have been through all this once before and had success,” said Tocci, who was part of last year’s state runnerup. “We know how much fun it can be, but also realize the work and focus it takes.”
Late last Saturday night, sophomore Gerlitz added to the era of good feelings with a match-winning goal from 30 yards out to open the postseason. Gerlitz one-timed a rebound for a looping shot that the goalie had no chance to stop, and Middletown topped St. Mark’s 1-0 in the first round.
The only goal of the St. Mark’s match came with 24:06 left in regulation, and capped a run of Middletown dominance that earned most of the scoring opportunities throughout the contest. Also leading the charge were Huegel, Kevin Knox, Tocci, LT Lewis, Josh Sommer, Ben Ross and others.
Middletown seemed to pick up speed as reserves Homier, Corey Adams and Neal Kowalskie entered the game late to provide fresh legs.
Still, Middletown needed a final sweep by defender Justin Oduaran to secure the victory. Oduaran broke up a last scoring try in the closing seconds, and time finally ran out.
“I felt like we were the better team [against St. Mark’s], but were just one mistake from going down for much of the match,” MHS coach Brian Derrickson said. “Once we scored, we allowed them to counter and have some scoring tries, but Justin came up with a big stop at the end.”
First-year starting goalkeeper Thomas Shemanski continued a strong season by making seven saves to earn the shutout. A strong defensive wall in front of him included Oduaran, Ross, Alex Taylor and Sean Swift. Other Cavs dropped back when needed, and the victory was a complete team effort.
