RIDGEFIELD-Once again, it seemed like the Hockinson boys soccer team was on its way to another overtime thriller at Ridgefield High School.
But a Kingston corner kick in the game’s final moments proved to be one corner too many.
Hockinson’s season came to a close on Tuesday with a 1-0 loss to the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2A state soccer tournament.
The Hawks returned to the scene of their dramatic win in the 2A district final but were dealt the opposite result.
Brady Vernick’s stoppage-time goal was the difference, helping the Buccaneers win playing with 10 men.
“We fought hard, I can’t say anything about how hard we fought,” Hockinson senior forward Mitchell Pinney said. “They got a great goal at the end. That’s the game of soccer.”
“It was a really solid season,” goalkeeper Jack Bloss said. “We’re really proud of that first district championship. I was really happy this whole season. Just a great group of guys.”
The Bucs got on the attack early, getting the game’s first shot which sailed over the cross bar, not even one minute into the game.
But it was a theme that carried on throughout the game for both teams.
Towards the end of the first half, the Bucs took control and essentially never gave it up. Bloss was called into action frequently to finish the first half, but the Hawks managed to head into halftime tied.
Bloss had 11 saves, helping keep the Hawks in the game until the late goal.
The Hawks were on the defensive for much of the match, using the same formula that won them a district title.
But unlike their win over Ridgefield, the Hawks rarely made the opposing keeper make a play.
With 8 minutes left, Kingston’s Alex Barrett was thrown out with a red card after a challenge in midfield against Elliot Olson. Olson was forced to leave the game and did not return with what an injury to his right leg.
But the result was that Hockinson played the final six minutes a up a man.
The Hawks finally put together some attacks that challenge Kingston keeper Alex Worland, but they didn’t have enough quality to force overtime.
