Vikings head to title game for third straight time
Class 4A Boys Soccer Lower State Championship • May 12, 2008
Story and Photos by Mike Maddock

Spring Valley's Thomas Wollersheium scored both goals for the Vikings in spectacular fashion.

The atmosphere at Spring Valley Tuesday, May 13 had all the intensity and pageantry of a high school football playoff game complete with cool air, packed stands and rowdy fans, drum lines, and cheerleaders. But this was a different kind of football.

The Spring Valley Viking boys' soccer team earned its third straight trip to USC's Stone Field to defend its 2007 4A state championship with a 2- 0 win over the visiting Wando Warriors. It wasn't easy though.

The Warriors (20- 3) controlled the ball for much of the first half out shooting the Vikings 8- 4. Some of the Wando contigent in attendance even had the nerve to start chanting, "Overrated," but wiser fans quickly put a stop to that and so did Spring Valley's Thomas Wollersheium. With seconds remaining in the first half, the Vikings launched a long pass to the right side of Wando's goal box. Wollersheium outran two Wando defenders, then was nearly knocked off his feet, but regained his composure, gathered the ball, juked the Wando goalkeeper and drilled a right- footer to the back of the net. It was the beginning of a frustrating night for Wando fans who were screaming for Wollersheium to receive a yellow card just seconds earlier when Wollersheium collided with a Wando defender knocking him to the ground.

Spring Valley's Sean Flynn goes for the header against a Wando defender.

Wollersheium struck again 4.5 minutes into the second half. This time he launched a contested left- footed lob shot that sailed over the charging Wando goalkeeper's head and bounced into the net. The Wando goalkeeper could only turn and helplessly watch the shot as the Vikings took a commanding 2- 0 lead.

The Spring Valley defense took over from there. The Warriors had their best opportunity to score in the 55th minute. After Spring Valley's Brett Watts received a yellow card for a midfield collision, the Warriors took a penalty kick that sailed high in front of the Viking goal. Goalkeeper Will Frierson jumped high for the block, but was unable to get possession of the ball. It bounced to a Wando forward who promptly rocketed a shot at an apparent empty goal, but Sean Flynn had his goalie's back and blocked the shot with a right- footed stab. The Vikings then cleared the ball and effectively killed Wando's chances for the upset.

Spr ing Valley goal - keeper Will Frierson goes high for the save.

Still the Warriors had opportunities, but Frierson made several diving and leaping saves to keep Spring Valley unbeaten at 25- 0.

The Vikings will now make the short trip to USC's Stone Field Saturday, May 17 at 7 pm to play Northwestern for their second title in as many years. It will be the third straight time the two schools have met for the championship. Northwestern won in 2006.