Shelby heading to state finals after 3-0 win

When you've had a consistent winning program, the natural next step is to want to have a chance to play for championships.

The 2008 Shelby High boys soccer team, a perennial playoff team, wanted to clear that last hurdle and earn the right to play for a state title. The Golden Lions made it over the last obstacle Wednesday night at Blanton Memorial Stadium, taking down visiting Salisbury, 3-0, in the Western 2A finals.

The victory means the 19-2-2 Lions will travel to N.C. State Saturday morning for a 10 a.m. clash with Eastern champ Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons.

"Our last year, playing for the last time on this field, we went out the best way we possibly could," said Shelby senior Drexel Bakker, amidst the post-game celebration on the field. "It's amazing."

Shelby had made it to the Western finals twice before, bowing each time, including a 1-0 defeat against eventual state champion Newton-Conover last year. They weren't about to let it happen again.

"This is huge, it's unbelieveable," said Lion senior Turner Almond, who scored a pair of goals in the victory. "We wanted to do it for all the guys who've played here, and for our coach."

Shelby head coach David Steeves appreciated the way his squad maintained its mental approach throughout the playoffs.

"This group has been talking about it all year, especially after last year," Steeves said. "They really stayed focused and took it one game at a time.

"I think playing in those tough games with R-S Central and Ashbrook (in the regular season) helped set the tone for us. That really drove us to realize what we were capable of."

Shelby got that crucial first goal with approximately 14 minutes left in the first half. Almond's throw-in led to a flurry in front of the Salisbury net. Junior Kevin Petty was there to punch it in, marking the first goal an opponent had scored against the Hornets (17-5-1) in the playoffs.

"We knew we had to score first," Bakker said. "We had talked a lot about that. When we scored, you could see their heads drop a bit. Then when we got our second goal, we knew it was over."

It was another throw-in that gave Shelby the chance for a fast break goal. Midway in the second half, Branson Reid's throw from the sidelines was gathered in by Petty breaking down the left side. He fed a pass to Almond in the center of field on a two-versus-one breakaway. Almond drove it into the net for the 2-0 edge. Almond added an insurance goal in the final three minutes of play.

"We knew it would be difficult to score; they're an excellent defensive team," Steeves said of Salisbury. "We just wanted to get a couple of chances and we fortunate to do that.

"The first goal is so important. If you have to play from behind, then you have to make some adjustments you might not want to."
Shelby out-shot Salisbury 17-7 on the night. Junior Rob Binion was in goal all the way for the shutout.

"We knew we had to keep defenders behind the ball," Steeves said. "A couple of times we didn't do that late in the first half and didn't pressure the ball. At halftime that's what we talked about doing."