Forbush soccer surges past Randleman in OT

Forbush High’s girls soccer team scored five unanswered goals – including three in overtime – to upset Randleman 5-2 in Tuesday’s state playoff opener.

Jessica Tucker, Sheridan Caudle and DeAnna Wilkins netted shots within three minutes of each other in extra time to lift the Falcons. Forbush was the No. 3 seed from the Mountain Valley 1A/2A Conference. Randleman was the champion of the Pac-6.

The Falcons (16-5-1) will play the winner of tonight’s Piedmont-West Davidson game this weekend. Time TBA. Randleman’s season ends at 17-3-3.

“I’m very proud of the way the girls fought to get back in the game and win it decisively,” Falcons coach Kenan James said. “We are excited to move on to the second round.”

The teams went into halftime tied 0-0, though Forbush had multiple chances to score.

“Two players hit the crossbar and another hit the post,” James said. “Jordan Brown, the Tigers goalkeeper, had four huge saves to keep Randleman in the game.”

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead with back-to-back goals from Samara Alba early in the second half. One of the goals came on a penalty kick.

The Falcons made a tactical change at this point, James said, and began applying more pressure on Randleman’s defensive back line. The strategy worked, and Forbush was able to net two shots before the end of the regulation.

Tucker earned a goal with about 10 minutes to play, then Wilkins scored with seven minutes left.

Overtime was all Falcons. Tucker scored in the game’s 85th minute, assisted by Wilkins. Caudle scored two minutes later, assisted by Jessica Disher. Wilkins provided the exclamation point with a goal one minute after that. Disher provided her second assist. Unlike other sports, high school soccer’s first overtime periods are not sudden death.

Caudle played a key role in the late surge. The junior has missed much of the season due to an ankle injury. She has seen spot time on the field the last few weeks, usually subbing in to make throw-ins and then exiting after a few minutes.

“She played sparingly but effectively,” James said. “She has a huge heart and passion for the game. She rubbed off on her team.”

Forbush is no stranger to state playoff success in girls soccer. The Falcons played in the state title game in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and advanced to the state semifinals last spring. Though considered an underdog this season after finishing third in the conference, James’ team marches on for at least another round. West Davidson (11-7-1) and Piedmont (13-2-2) are both No. 2 seeds from their respective conference.

Forbush’s win capped a solid night for the 2A portion of the Mountain Valley 1A/2A Conference. Top-seeded Wilkes Central blasted TW Andrews 12-0, scoring four goals in the first six minutes. Ashe County, the MVAC runner-up, blanked Newton-Conover 4-0.

Wilkes Central will play West Stokes in round two. The Wildcats, champions of the Northwest 1A/2A Conference, beat West Caldwell 4-0.

Second-round games are set for Saturday, unless the schools arrange another date.

Wilkes Central vs. West Stokes looks like the block-buster match-up of the second round. Both teams have 18 wins. West Stokes is ranked eighth in the state’s latest 2A coaches poll, while Wilkes Central is ranked 14th.

Ashe County will face either Cuthbertson or Salisbury in its next game. Cuthbertson played in the state title game a year ago, beating Carrboro 1-0.

Other state playoff soccer games involving MVAC or Northwest 1A/2A teams still to be played:

2A SOCCER
Surry Central (16-7) at Trinity (16-5-3)

1A SOCCER
South Stokes (13-5-1) at West Wilkes (9-8-1)
North Rowan (10-8-2) at Bishop McGuinness (11-3-1)
Gray Stone Day (14-2) at Elkin (7-11-1)