Packers can’t climb the hill in quarterfinal loss to Pioneers
Published 8:11 pm Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Austin's JuJu Thwang holds his ground against Hill Murrary. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The AHS student section showed their support for the Packers. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin's Andrew Clausman and Nick Asmus compete with Hill Murray's Zach Frey for a ball in the Class AA state tournament last year. Herald file photo
Dane Mitchell makes a save for the Packers. Rocky Hulne/sport@austindailyherald.com
Austin's Joe Ewing controls a header against Hill Murray. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin's Leo Hernandez advances against Hill Murray. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin's Kaleb Tedesse fights for position. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin's Taw Reh plays defense in the second half. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin's Ter Reh launches a pass. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin's Nick Asmus defends against Hill Murray's Jacob Dinzeo in Farmington Tuesday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin's Emiliano Hernandez-Espindola clears the net. Rocky Hulne/sports@ausintdailyherald.com
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FARMINGTON — A slow start against a top team was too much to overcome for the Packer boys soccer team as its season came to an end in a 4-0 loss to No. 1 Hill-Murray in the Class AA State Boys Soccer Tournament quarterfinals at Farmington High School’s Tiger Stadium Tuesday night.
The Pioneers (20-0 overall) came out charging as Jeronimo Lakilia scored four minutes into the game and Jacob Dinzeo added a score just a few minutes later.
“They came out aggressive, the way we thought they would. They saw the field and they took advantage of their opportunities,” Austin head coach Jens Levisen said. “I think it was a little bit of a shock of the state tournament.”
For a Packer team that won just three of its first 13 games, getting to the state tournament with a pair of shootout wins will be a lasting memory. Senior captain Joe Ewing didn’t want to lose the season, but he’ll certainly keep this team on his mind for quite some time.
“We knew this game was going to be a challenge and they’re a well coached team,” Ewing said. “It’s been an honor and a privilege playing at state and I wouldn’t trade this season for the world. We were always here for each other as a family. Whenever someone’s down, we’re picking them up.”
Dinzeo iced the game for Hill-Murray when he put in a penalty kick for his second goal of the contest with 16:41 left in the game.
Isaiah Cruz added a fourth goal with 4:38 left.
The Packers (8-11-1 overall) recovered from the slow start as Ewing and Leo Hernandez each put on solid shots on goals from free kicks to put some pressure on Hill-Murray.
Austin keeper Dane Mitchell stopped three first half shots in a row after the two early goals and he finished with 12 saves.
Dinzeo bumped into Austin keeper Mitchell on a save in the second half and was hit with a yellow card. It was one of a few cards in the second half as the intensity level was high from both teams.
Offense was tough to come by against the top-ranked and top-seeded Pioneers, who have allowed just two goals all season long.
“They had guys that went the length of the field that could control and distribute,” Levisen said. “You could pressure one guy and then he’d give up the ball and they would counterattack.”
Austin finished with three shots on goal.
Before Tuesday’s game, Austin sophomore JuJu Thwang was named First Team All State and Leo Hernandez was named Second Team All State.
“With those guys and Aidan (Martinez) coming back next year, it’s going to make me want to come back and watch as an alumni,” Ewing said. “They’ve got a bright future ahead of them.”
Austin has now played in five state tournaments and has won six section titles in program history.
