RUTLAND – In what was the marquee matchup of championship weekend in Vermont high school soccer, top seeded Twin Valley survived a battle of the unbeatens against the Caledonia United boys soccer team to claim the Division IV state title.
Brayden Brown and Niko Gerding scored a goal apiece to power the Wildcats to a 2-0 win over Caledonia United under the lights Saturday night at Rutland’s Alumni Field. Both teams came into the highly anticipated matchup with identical 16-0 records and high powered offenses that steamrolled their opponents throughout the regular season by a 9-1 scoring margin. After a scoreless first half, both teams went into the break having survived the cold as well as relentless pressure on their back lines. Brown landed the first punch for Twin Valley from long range, beating senior keeper Josh Petersen high on a direct kick from 25 yards out for a 1-0 lead eleven minutes into the second half. Brown appeared to trip on the artificial turf as he broke towards the box, but the play was blown dead by the lead official, a foul was called and Brown didn’t miss.
“There was good play from both teams in the first half in what seemed like a frenetic pace early. There was a feeling out process for both teams speed-wise and adjustments to the physicality of play. We created some high quality chances early on in the match that we just didn’t quite finish. Coming out of halftime it felt like the type of match where the first team to score was going to be tough to beat. The call could’ve gone either way on awarding them the set piece that led to the goal, but credit to them on executing and capitalizing on it. Josh is a great keeper and I know he feels he makes that save 9 out of 10 times, but in that moment, in that atmosphere, it was just a great shot. We played a little nervous and tentative after that, and it wasn’t until 10 minutes left in the match before we regained some shape and possession that created some great opportunities that their keeper handled really well. Once again, credit to them and their players for disrupting our rhythm, especially in the second half,” said head coach Peter Stratman.
Petersen made a pair of high level saves to keep the Cal United faithful’s hopes alive before Gerding applied the dagger with a mini breakaway off a goal kick that he finished far post for a 2-0 lead with thirteen minutes left in regulation. Stratman’s club went down swinging, applying relentless pressure in the closing minutes. Sam McLane lofted a perfect ball into the penalty area that Eli Russell headed towards the goal mouth and Wildcat keeper Kaelyn Lackey snagged with seven minutes left in regulation. Lackey then denied a Judah Klarich rocket off the post late to secure the ninth shutout of the season for the Wildcat defense.
Twin Valley head coach Buddy Hayford further cemented his legendary status with his eleventh state title after becoming Vermont’s all-time winningest coach earlier this season with the 500th of his career. The Wildcats had been Division IV state runner-ups the last two seasons but the tandem of Brown and Gerding provided the offense throughout the playoffs to send their 8 senior teammates out in style with a perfect 17-0 season.
It truly was a storybook season for Stratman and his eight seniors that included McLane, Russell, Petersen, Jola Otten, Ben Monaco, Sean Lehoe, Samson Kitonga and Alijah Andrews. It was the first state championship match for Stratman and his Cal United program that was created just two years ago with the three school cooperative of Twinfield, Cabot and Danville. This outstanding core of seniors continued to reset the program wins record with 16 this season and Russell (30 goals), McLane (26) and Otten (14) blitzed Mtn. League opposing defenses all season long. Petersen developed into an elite goalkeeper for Cal United, recording 11 shutouts this fall.
“It was a big stage under the lights at night on turf but it’s a state championship and it’s supposed to be big. I thought the boys warmed up well, they were loose and focused and came into the match prepared with the right mentality. Going up against a coach like Buddy makes it even bigger and I have respect for what he has done to grow the game of soccer in this state throughout his career. The emotion of losing a state title match really hit me and it’s all tied to watching these amazing players work and develop throughout the season and throughout their careers. It has been so much fun getting to know players and their families from these three communities. The support we’ve received from all of them has been simply amazing and it just shows that this great game of soccer truly brings people together. I’m proud of these players, I’m proud of these communities and I’m proud to be the coach of this program,” said Stratman.
