Glenn falls to Frisco Wakeland in state semis
GEORGETOWN – Tenacious defense and timely ball control led Frisco Wakeland to a 2-0 win over previously undefeated Glenn in Thursday night’s Class 5A boys semifinals at the UIL state soccer tournament.
The teams traded control of the ball throughout the first half until Wakeland (19-5-3) had a long run down the right sideline, resulting in a Wolverines striker getting tripped and Wakeland being awarded a free kick from just outside the penalty box.
Midfielder Cameron Warner lofted the free kick to the far side of the Glenn goal, where Wakeland’s Jonathan Lopp, a 6-foot-2 senior standout, jumped the defenders and headed the ball into the net, just grazing the side post for a 1-0 lead with 32 minutes, seconds 22 elapsed in the first half.
Glenn (29-1-1) battled fiercely, but the Grizzlies were unfortunate as three shots hit either the side post or top bar and caromed off without a score.
Wakeland extended its lead early in the second half as Jack Minsky redirected a loose ball after a corner kick by Maximillian Parra for the final score.
The Wolverines used a long passing game to attack the Glenn defense and force the midfield back, and defensively, they marked the Grizzlies’ front line tightly.
“Glenn is good offensively. We had to play strong defensively and control the ball,” Wakeland coach Andy Holt said.
Glenn entered the game with only a tie against its record and having notched 19 shutouts in its 29 wins, but Wakeland proved adept at long passing and forcing the Grizzlies out of their offensive tempo, setting the stage for the upset.
Glenn’s misfortune began early, when the Wakeland goalkeeper came out of the box to pick up a loose ball, giving the Grizzlies a straight on free shot less than two minutes into the contest, but it ricocheted off two Wakeland defenders.
Each team had seven shots on goal, and both goalkeepers were credited with three saves, but it was the Wolverines’ style that seemed to keep Glenn out of sync.