Cosby strikes quickly to capture boys soccer title

Central Region boys soccer final

Cosby's offensive plan isn't a big secret. It doesn't need to be.

Less than 24 hours after a close game with Atlee, Cosby answered any questions about sluggishness with a rapid-fire attack that defeated Mills Godwin 2-0. The Titans scored both goals in the first 30 minutes of play.

As a result, they're the Central Region champs and will host a state playoff game Tuesday.

Last night's first goal came off of a play opponents have come to expect. Nick DeProspero took a throw-in from the Eagles' end and heaved it -- without a bounce -- to Patrick McDaniel, who was waiting in front of the net to deliver a goal-scoring header. It's a throw most players wouldn't attempt.

"Just Nick," McDaniel said. "And he hits my forehead every time."

The goal, scored in the 11th minute, was exactly what Eagles coach Herb Modrak told his team to guard against.

"We wanted to mark No. 14 [McDaniel] on the set pieces. We knew they'd go through him," he said. "But that's why he's a first-team all-region player."

Cosby continued the attack from there -- "Always go forward" was the directive from coach Mike Anderson -- and it paid off again 27 minutes into the half.

A misplayed header by an Eagles defender in front of his own goal left the ball floating in the air, and Chris Lyne corralled it and pushed it into the left side of the net for the Titans' second goal.

Two minutes later Godwin had an opportunity to make it a game again when Aaron Riedel found himself with a breakaway shot, but Titans goalie Sean Stowe dove for a sensational stop that kept the shutout alive.

Stowe finished the game with nine saves. Eagles counterpart Jack Van Arsale logged two, his first coming with 14 minutes to play in the game.

Cosby didn't have many opportunities to test Van Arsdale in the second half. The Eagles came out strong and attempted to cut into the lead, but despite a wealth of attack time were unable to crack the Titans' defense.

The victory gives the Titans the top seed in the region heading into next week's state tournament.

"I've done it both ways, and it's always nice to play at home and not have to travel," Anderson said.

Last night's game played more like a neutral site, with strong fan contingents from both teams. Though the Eagles and Titans had never met on the pitch, the battle was spirited and resulted in a hat trick of yellow cards for Godwin in a five-minute span of the second half. Cosby was given one.

It was likely the start of a rivalry. Modrak was named the region's coach of the year in his second season, and Cosby's JV team has lost just once in the last two years.

Those young players will have the opportunity to build on last night's game, a fast-paced battle.

McDaniel said his team was ready to go and pushed any thought of fatigue aside.

"There were questions," he said. "But we had a lot of heart."

Mills Godwin ------------------------- 0

0 -- 0
Cosby ------------------------- 2

0 -- 2

C: McDaniel, Lyne

Saves: Van Arsdale (MG) 2, Stowe (C) 9

Records: Cosby 17-1-1, Mills Godwin 16-2-2