Berney, McGuinness face Heritage Hall in title rematch

Bishop McGuinness’ boys soccer team won’t wait long for a playoff rematch against the school that ended its season a year ago.

After falling 4-1 to Heritage Hall in the 2016 Class 5A state championship match, the Irish will host the Chargers in the first round of this year’s state tournament on Tuesday.

“It’s pretty exciting to get a rematch against them,” senior captain Josh Berney said. “It’s always good to get the opportunity to go up against them again, and we’ll be ready for it.”

Fellow captain Chas Mosier admits it was exciting to see the pairing, but the team is treating the rematch like any other game.

Berney said it’s part of the professional attitude McGuinness coach Jake Cottage has instilled in his players.

After taking the Irish deep into the playoffs his first two years as head coach, Cottage was tasked with replacing a solid group of seniors this past offseason.

While still in 6A, the Irish went to the state semifinals before losing to Jenks in 2015. And after losing a senior group that took the Irish to the 5A state title match in 2016, the turnover hasn’t been an issue for a McGuinness team that’s 11-1 this season.

“It’s been pretty easy, to be honest,” Cottage said. “With players like Josh Berney and Chas Mossier, it’s been a pretty easy transition. And Jackson Goetzinger, he’s filled the position pretty well.”

Berney, in particular, has been a focal point for McGuinness.

The senior was a force at creating opportunities for his teammates last season. Cottage says the Southern Methodist signee has become even better with scoring and setting up his teammates this year.

“At the high school level, you don’t get much better, especially from an attacking point of view,” Cottage said of Berney. “He’s probably got the best left foot I’ve seen at any level. So as a high school soccer player, you can’t ask for much more.”

On the Heritage Hall side, the Chargers also lost a talented senior group that claimed three of the past four 5A state championships. In that four-year span, the Chargers went 66-2.

This season, Heritage 8-4.

Heritage Hall has seen solid production from senior keeper Jack Ross and juniors Garrett McGinnis and Caleb Magness. Sophomore Connor Carey has also been key to the Chargers down the stretch, scoring six goals in the Chargers’ past three matches.

Heritage Hall coach Tommy Riley’s 2016 group benefited greatly from a strong back line in its state title win over the Irish.

The loss was a learning experience for an Irish team that couldn’t counter the Chargers’ attack. It has been a motivating tool for this postseason.

“Last year, we forced a little bit over the top or a little bit too direct,” Berney said. “They had a skilled back line last year that we couldn’t get past playing direct. So we know what our strengths are this year, and we’ve worked on them. We are ready to thrive at them going into the playoffs”

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