NorthWood keeper Andrew Graber has allowed less than a goal per game this season, helping the Panthers to the Class 2-A boys soccer semi-state. InkFreeNews file photo by Mike Deak

By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews

NAPPANEE – Two steps to go.

That’s where NorthWood boys soccer is currently swimming in what is an uncharted ocean for the program. Looking ahead to the semi-state round for the first time in the program’s history, the Panthers know there are just two teams left in front of its lofty goal. First up, Fort Wayne Canterbury, at the South Bend St. Joseph’s Boys Soccer Semi-state.

“We know that Canterbury is a very well-coached team,” began NorthWood head coach Brad Duerksen. “They have a long history of success at the state level. I believe they have won (seven) state championships in soccer, so they are no strangers to success. They are a more defense-oriented team who does not give up many goals. They have a very strong goalie and a stingy defense. They remind me a little of St. Joe.”

Looking at Fort Wayne Canterbury, the Cavs sit at 12-4-5 on the season, nothing explicitly overbearing in the table, but did play a very strong schedule. After a 1-4-1 start to their season, Canterbury hasn’t lost since Aug. 29 in a 1-0 loss to Dwenger and has won eight straight coming into the semi-state. The 2018 Class 1-A state champions have allowed just two goals in that eight-game stretch, and in common opponents, beat Concord and tied both West Noble and Bethany Christian. NorthWood beat Bethany and West Noble and tied Concord.

Ten Cavaliers have scored a goal this season, yet its team leader in tallies is Andrew Wojewuczki with seven. Yahya Jan has six goals on 30 shots and Donovan Doolittle and Octavius Ogubi each have five goals, Donovan leading the side with 14 assists.

Keeper Saed Anabtawi has collected 11 of the team’s wins, posting nine shutouts and 112 saves, owning a scant 0.59 goals against average. Canterbury’s willingness to score once and defend is evident, having played in 15 matches that were separated by two goals or less, win, lose or draw.

NorthWood’s calling card has been to let its big dogs eat, and then hunker down on the back end. The duo of Sebastian Guillen and Andre De Freitas have been scoring machines all season, combining for 56 goals and 35 assists. De Freitas is ranked fourth in the state in goals with 32, and Guillen is 28th at 24, and the Panthers as a whole are punching in nearly four goals per match this season.

Knowing the devil is in the details, teams have doubled down on marking the two, but its led to more looks for players like Kaden Newcomer (8G, 14A), who is among the 12 other Panthers who have scored at least once this season. What’s nearly as impressive are the 13 total Panthers that have tallied an assist this season.

“We have had teams try to mark one or both Andre and Sebastian, but that just opens up opportunities for other scorers like Kayden Newcomer,” Duerksen said. “It truly is a luxury having such prolific goal scorers as Andre, Sebastian, and Kayden. It’s just no feasible to mark 3 players in a game, and these young men will find a way to score. We are a senior dominate team, and our seniors have led by example all season long.

Duerksen noted his defensive third is healthy and in tact, however, the team lost midfielder Cam Iwema to an ACL injury. The play of Chase Duerksen and Alex Escamilla have helped cover keeper Andrew Graber, the netminder posting an 0.94 GAA with seven shutouts. Nick Lechlitner and Marshall Beebe have also played pivotal roles in keeping NorthWood on the positive track through the state tournament.

“Our defense has been phenomenal over the past several weeks,” Duerksen said. “Andrew Graber has just been so solid for us between the pipes all season long. Andrew has matured as a leader this season. He is much more vocal in directing his defense. He also is very confident in what he is doing back there, and much of that credit goes to our goalkeeper coach,  Kyle Dijkstra, who works with our keepers daily.”

The semi-state match is scheduled to begin as the third contest of the day, an approximately opening whistle at 3 p.m. The winner will head to the IHSAA State Finals against either Guerin Catholic (14-1-2) or Evansville Memorial (16-3).