Nolan Catholic and Grapevine Faith boys win TAPPS soccer semifinals

By Miguel Castro

Special to the Star-Telegram

SAN ANTONIO -- Zach Phipps and Michael Egenti each scored a goal to lift Nolan Catholic to a 2-0 victory over San Antonio Antonian in the TAPPS Division I state semifinal on Friday at Benson Stadium.

The Vikings (17-2-2) look to claim their second straight title and ninth overall today when they face Plano John Paul II (13-1-4).

The championship was originally scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Blossom Athletic Center, but due to expected stormy weather overnight, the time and location may change.

"It feels great to be back in the final," Phipps said. "We've worked so hard together as a team to get back here."

Both teams held each other scoreless in the match until the 30:13 mark in the second half when Phipps scored on a Ryan Gonzalez assist.

Egenti set up the play with a header off a long ball to Phipps, and the senior midfielder headed it to Gonzalez. Gonzalez then fed a perfect ball back to a wide open Phipps, who sprinted down the left side before sneaking behind the Antonian defense.

Egenti increased Nolan's lead to 2-0 with 4:24 left to play on a subtle chip shot over the Antonian goalkeeper.

"People think (Egenti's) just a big football player, but I tell you what, the kid can play soccer," Nolan coach Adam Clementson said. "He's got a lot more to his golf bag than his driver."

Houston St. Agnes 2, Nolan Catholic girls 1 (2OT): The Vikings season ended in a heartbreaker as Kimberly Polasek's goal off a corner kick with 16 seconds left in the second 10-minute overtime lifted the Tigers (21-1-2) to victory at Benson Stadium.

Nolan (13-8-7) had three opportunities to score in the final 8 1/2 minutes, off two free kicks and one corner kick all well within goal range, but were denied each time.

The closest came with 8:20 remaining when Chelsea Surpris' free kick from 24 yards out ricocheted off the top cross bar and a rebound shot was picked off by St. Agnes' goalkeeper.

"We had chances to win, but you have to execute, period," Vikings coach Todd Fitzgerald said. "We just couldn't finish it."

Ashley Fiesher used Gwennie Puente's outside cross to put Nolan ahead 1-0 early in the second half. St. Agnes answered with 10:30 remaining in the game when Allison Carter tapped in the equalizer off a corner kick.

Most of the contest was played in a constant miserable drizzle, and overtime was delayed nearly an hour due to lightning in the area.

St. Agnes (21-1-2) will meet 21-time state champion Dallas Ursuline Academy in today's DI final.

Grapevine Faith boys 4, San Antonio Christian 3: Jonathan Orasanu scored two goals, including the game-winner on a shot from near midfield, and the Lions (14-3-3) held on at a muddy Blossom Soccer Stadium. Mason McManus and Davey Nanson also each had a goal.

The defending DII champion had to hang on in the end to prevail. SAC (12-3-3) rallied from two-goal deficits three times -- 2-0, 3-1, 4-2 -- nearly erasing the latter margin when Taylor Gerlinger converted a penalty kick to make it 4-3 with 3:46 remaining.

SACS drew a second PK with three seconds left in match when GFC goalkeeper Chapman Odom took out a player in the penalty box. The sophomore, however, stopped Gerlinger's PK and time ran out.

"My intentions weren't to get a foul, but when he turned around, I hit him in the back of his legs," Odom said. "It was an obvious foul, so it was my fault. I'm not going to try and cover that up.

"I really just kept my head, tried to keep some composure, and I just watched his hips," Odom said about the final save. "When I saw he was turning to the right, I just anticipated that. It was right there in my hands.''

The Lions will attempt to win their second consecutive state crown today against El Paso Lydia Patterson. The final was originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at the Blossom Athletic Center, but due to expected inclement overnight weather, the time and location might change.

Colleyville Covenant boys 1, Pharr Oratory 0 (2OT): Jonathan Hudson headed in a golden goal in the 95th minute off Jacob Garcia's corner kick to carry the Cougars to the DIII championship.

Colleyville Covenant will take on Carrollton Prince of Peace at 1 p.m. today at Bob Benson Stadium at Central Catholic High School.

Colleyville Covenant girls 2, Sherman Texoma Christian 1: The Cougars outlasted the Eagles at Bob Benson Stadium to return to the state championship.

Colleyville Covenant will play for its second straight DIII crown at 10:30 a.m. today against Carrollton Prince of Peace.

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