The South Lakes Seahawks boys soccer team proved that its first-place finish in the Liberty district during the regular season was no accident when it decisively defeated the Langley Saxons Friday 3-1 in the district’s finals held at McLean High School. Â
This was this year’s second win over the Saxons, a team they had not previously beaten during this year’s senior players’ four-year tenure on the squad.
Though not known for their offensive power, the Seahawks upped the pace during the playoffs, scoring five goals earlier in the week against Stone Bridge, and adding another four goals during the semifinal and final matches.
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South Lakes opened the scoring yesterday in the 14th minute on what has become a Seahawk trademark, a long throw-in by second-team All-Liberty defender Zach Deker, headed into the goal by Jorge Noboa on a bit of a lucky bounce off the Langley goalkeeper.
Though South Lakes continued to dominate the first half, the Saxons managed to tie the game on a set piece free kick following a foul in the Seahawks defensive third, and finished by Justin Galiani in the 34th minute.
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The second half saw a very competitive and even beginning until Kevin Bucardo made a tremendous run down the right of the field, cutting back inside just short of the corner flag to serve a perfect cross to Suli Dainkeh, the Virginia  Gatorade Player of the year, who scored on an unmistakable header in the 68th minute.
The pace of the game picked up in the remaining 12 minutes, with the Saxons pressuring for the equalizer. With two minutes left in desperation time, Langley brought all their players into the South Lakes box, a risk that ultimately did not pay off as a defensive clearance made its way to second-team Liberty District selection Jhonny DeSouza, who calmly placed a shot from about half field into the open net to seal the victory.
On the defensive end, Huber Letona, Liberty’s first team goalie selection came up huge on a one-on-one breakaway in the second half, and the team’s two other first team selections, Elvin Arbaiza and Player of the Year Dylan Katz, contributing to the now normal defensive showcase, having given up only 10 goals in 16 games, the lowest of any team in the region.Â
The Seahawks open up regional play against Yorktown on Tuesday at 7:00 pm at South Lakes.
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