Tigers finish game short of state tournament for second straight season
Source: The Norfolk Daily News
SCHUYLER -- Hastings' dreams of returning to the state boys soccer tournament for the first time in eight seasons were dashed by Schuyler in Saturday's Class B, District 6 final.
The Warriors (14-3) became the first team all season to shut out the Tigers, doing so 6-0 to clinch a second straight tournament berth while stopping HHS short of its first since 2015 (there was no season in 2020).
"They create so many chances going forward," Hastings coach Chris Pedroza said of Schuyler. "They have so many talented players in attacking positions. I feel like that is their strength. We had a plan, we did watch film from them, and we felt like if we could (execute) it would work out in our favor. But sometimes mistakes happen.
"We did allow two goals in the first 10 minutes, and it's always hard to come back from something like that."
Coming into the sub-state game, it was no secret Schuyler had scored plenty of goals. The Warriors produced 84 in 16 games prior to Saturday.
While the Warriors' strength of schedule varied quite a bit from Hastings' Eastern Midlands Conference-heavy slate, they left little doubt through the 80 minutes in Schuyler that their season results were flukey.
David Arciga broke the ice just four minutes in, and Mynor Hernandez Raya doubled the advantage four minutes after that on a cross into the box that went through everyone.
The next two Schuyler goals came seven minutes apart, and were from the state's all-time leading goal scorer. Jose Cruz beat Hastings keeper Brogan Pfeil in the 22nd minute, then tapped in a rebound in the 29th after a free kick by Edgar Alarcon.
Hastings didn't lack chances on the offensive side, despite Schuyler having the edge in speed and prowess.
However, the Tigers (10-6) couldn't piece together the right combination of play to erase the zero on the scoreboard.
"I think the first half we possessed the ball a bit more than they did," Pedroza said. "We created a lot of chances in the first half, and we just didn't execute the way we needed to. Had we put those two away in the first half, it might have been a different game."
Ignacio Muntanola clipped the post with a shot about six minutes in, then sent a shot wide a little later in the first half. A free kick by Jose Mares just before half found the head of Nolan Cardona, whose header was caught by the Schuyler keeper.
The second half was more even, even though the Warriors added two more goals -- in the 65th and 74th minutes.
Twice, Mares had opportunities to avoid the shut out, even forcing a diving save in the 59th minute. But nothing went for the Tigers.
Pedroza said he was proud of the effort, especially after halftime.
"I think we came in and our players played to the best of their ability, a full game from them even though at halftime they were down 4-0," the coach said. "They stayed consistent, the effort was there throughout the game. Proud of the way they finished the game for sure."
Schuyler heads to the state tournament on a six-game winning streak and having outscored opponents 40-2 during that stretch. The Warriors face No. 3 Bennington in the opening round.
For the second straight season, Hastings ends its year a game short of Omaha.
"I'm so proud of them," Pedroza said. "It's just hard work. We may not have the most technical players that a coach would like to have, but to me you work and good things will come. We say it all the time, effort is a choice. Every year we see progress."