Boys Soccer: Broad Run Postpones Freedom's District Title Celebration

By Dan Sousa
Viva Loudoun Editor
Ashburn (May 9, 2012) - It is not exactly like the Freedom High School boys soccer team had sparkling cider on ice Tuesday night but the Eagles, which had won seven straight Cedar Run District contests, knew that a win or tie against struggling rival Broad Run would wrap up the program's first ever district title.

Leading 1-0 at the half, Freedom appeared well on its way to a repeat of an earlier 4-2 win over Broad Run but the Spartans were the team celebrating after a spirited second half featured two goals by junior Chris Lewis and two assists from junior Michael Margulis to give Broad Run the 3-2 win.


"Broad Run was pumped up and they had a clear purpose. We just got beat to the ball," said Freedom coach Chris Pruden, who played at Broad Run. "We will take this loss as another learning opportunity ... it will be good to see how we respond to this."

If Osbourn (5-3-0, 10-4-0) beats Stonewall Jackson (4-3-1, 4-7-1) tonight and Patriot (1-7-1, 4-10-1) Friday then Freedom (7-2-0 in district, 10-3-2 overall) would need a win or tie over Stonewall Friday to secure the district title and avoid a one-game playoff with the Manassas school.

Broad Run (4-3-2, 6-5-3) came into Tuesday's game without a win in the Spartans last four district outings (0-2-2 during that stretch) but Broad Run was finally healthy and playing with a full roster for the first time in four weeks.

The more experienced Freedom squad, with seven seniors starting, controlled the first half and led 1-0 off a goal on a corner kick in the 21st minute. A Spartan defensive header sent the ball away from the goal but only about 10 yards where Eagle senior Tanner Riche headed the ball to the feet of senior James Paredes at the left post. Paredes got a foot on the ball and it deflected towards the far post where senior Phillip poked it home.

Despite controlling the play most of the first half, Freedom could not pad the lead. At halftime, Broad Run coach Jon Hicks challenged his young team which features six sophomore starting.

"At halftime I told the team that there wasn't anything technical or tactical to do. I said the younger players needed to step up and start playing like juniors and seniors instead of sophomores."

The Spartans seemed energized coming out of the break and needed less than four minutes to tie the contest as Margulis found Lewis about 15 yards out with a nice cross. Lewis' ripped a shot that took a deflection off a Freedom defender and went in the net.

In the 54th minute, Broad Run went ahead, 2-1, as another Margulis pass set up a Spartan scoring opportunity, this time sophomore Zachary Poretz was put in alone on Freedom keeper sophomore Jimmy LaMantia. Poretz dribbled towards the left post before slotting a percise shot on the ground with the ball tucking into the side netting for the score.

Just five minutes later, Broad Run struck again as Porentz sent a corner kick into the box and Lewis ripped a beautiful header back to the far post for a 3-1 Broad Run lead.

With 9:40 left in the contest, Freedom looked to finally gets its offense back into gear as Paredes set up senior Robert Langstroth for a 1-v-1 with Broad Run keeper sophomore Andrew Davies who made a sprawling kick save to block Langstroth's shot.

The Eagles went down a man with eight minutes left when junior William Morrill tangled with a Broad Run defender behind the play. The center official did not hesitate as he raced over and issued a straight red card ejection, which will force Morrill to miss Friday's contest.

Freedom did make it 3-2 with 4:18 left as junior Anthoni Teos sent a booming free kick in from almost 50 yards out and the ball bounced through the Spartan defense to the goal line where Riche, taking no chances, blasted the ball into the roof of the netting.

Broad Run's defense held on in the final few minutes to secure the win.

Girls soccer: Broad Run 3, Freedom 0
Broad Run went from third place behind Battlefield and Freedom to the driver's seat for a Cedar Run District title with the shutout Tuesday at Freedom. Coupled with Battlefield's 1-0 loss to Patriot, the Spartans now lead Freedom and Battlefield by one point with one match remaining.

If Freedom beats Stonewall Jackson Friday then Broad Run would need a win over Battlefield to wrap up the title. If Freedom ties or loses against Stonewall then Broad Run would win the title with a tie or win against Battlefield.

If both Battlefield and Freedom win, then a one-game playoff would be needed to determine the district champion between the Bobcats and Eagles. Confused yet? Tune in Friday night and we will have it explained for you!

District race (one game left): Broad Run (6-1-2), Battlefield (6-2-1), Freedom (6-2-1).