Poole powers Patriots (10/20/2008)

HARTFORD CITY - Firsts are always special. This one was accomplished in extraordinary style.

Jay County High School's boys soccer team not only won its first regional championship Saturday, but did so with a 1-0 shutout of the Muncie Central Bearcats. And the win kept the team's undefeated record in tact at 18-0-1.

"It's unbelievable," said senior Derek Bartlett. "It's the best feeling in the world.

"Coming from our freshman year, I never would have imagined being regional champions, and undefeated."

JCHS is one of just three unbeaten teams left in the state, joining Homestead and Evansville Memorial, both of which are 19-0-2. The Patriots could play Homestead for a semi-state title, but will first meet Warsaw (14-5-2) in the semifinal round at Snider Saturday at 10 a.m.

Warsaw defeated Marion 3-0 to earn its regional championship.

"Now it's anybody's game," said Bailey, whose team topped Marion 3-2 during the regular season. "We've proved that we can play the game. We've always been under the radar. We're going to surprise some people. ... We're just as capable of anybody."

It's been a habit for Jay County this season to fall behind, starting slow and finishing strong to rally for victories. In the school's first regional championship appearance there was no need for a comeback.

Less than 15 minutes into the game, Patriot senior Isaac Poole made the most of what ended up being his only real scoring opportunity.

"(The defender) didn't mark me, and Trey headed it up to me," Poole said. "And I just got in on the goalie. I think it might have been the only shot I had on goal.

"I said to myself, 'I'm not going to get a better chance, so I have to make this count.' ... I wanted to at least make the keeper work for it."

Central goalie Sam Parker couldn't stop the shot, which added to the list of Poole's big tournament goals.

He hit the game-winner last season in the sectional semifinal against Blackford, and two days later sent the sectional championship game to overtime late score.

"This is much better," Poole said. "I'm just glad I made it for the team.

"I love this field. It feels like home."

Jay County is 5-0 at Blackford this year, topping the host Bruins during the regular season and defeated them again in the sectional semifinal round. It topped South Adams for the sectional title, and beat Anderson Wednesday before winning the regional title with the victory over Central (11-7-2).

The Bearcats made a mad rush at the goal during the final minutes, pushing forward and firing away at the goal in an attempt to tie the game.

Their best chance came with 6:06 remaining when Jonathon Galvin got free on the right side. His shot seemed destined to land in the left corner of the net, but goalie Adam Daniels altered that fate with a one-handed diving save.

"I owe the whole game to the defense," Daniels said. "They did everything. Except that lucky one. I got that one lucky one right there. It stuck to my hand.

"It was intense. It was an intense second half."

Jay County's defense stood up despite some adversity.

The Patriots were playing without starting defender Jordan Moser, who was suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in Wednesday's regional semifinal win over Anderson. That forced Bartlett to move from midfield to defense, and sophomore Garrett Krieg stepped in to Bartlett's spot.

The result was a brilliant defensive effort from Bartlett, fellow defensemen David Darby and Joe Rasmussen, and Krieg. With the shout, JCHS has allowed just five goals in its last seven games.

"Garrett Krieg stepped up huge," said Bailey. "All we asked out of Garrett was to step in there, hustle, slow them down and if he had a chance, clear it out. And that's what he did today. ... He played well.

"They all stepped up when they had to. Any good team down 1-0 with five minutes to go is going to put the pressure on. We did well."

Central had other opportunities in the closing minutes, only to have shots by Spenser Smith and Andrew Ledbetter go over the top and off the crossbar respectively.

"It happens," said Bearcats coach Kurt Echelbarger. "We couldn't finish our opportunities.

"The fact of the matter is it was just a really good game. Jay County has a really good team, obviously. Looking at their record, they deserve to go on."[[In-content Ad]]