Class 4A boys soccer: After move up in class, Heritage Hall repeats as state champion
Clinging to a one-goal lead and looking for some cushion in its pursuit of the Class 4A boys soccer state championship, Heritage Hall just kept firing.
Finally, with 4:31 to play, Chargers senior Turner Lentz squeezed in the final goal in the 3-1 win over Clinton on Friday night at Taft Stadium.
“One was bound to fall, for sure,” Lentz said. “They had a great goalie and he had a great game, but we worked for it.”
Despite moving up from Class 3A this season, the Chargers repeated as state champions and simultaneously snapped Clinton’s 4A reign. The Red Tornadoes were seeking a fourth straight title.
“Anytime you win a state championship, it’s a good feeling,” Heritage Hall coach Tommy Riley said. “There’s 32 teams that set out for that, and to be the one is fantastic. We came up against a really good Clinton team.
“To end that dynasty and legacy was massive. But our boys have performed well all year. They’ve had that target from moving up from 3A to 4A and they handled it well. I feel like we’re one of the best teams in all classes.”
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The title was the Chargers’ fifth as a program, winning in 2013-14 and 2016 before adding the last two.
They attacked early with sophomore Noah Ragozzino landing the first blow for a 1-0 lead less than 10 minutes in.
Clinton answered back a few minutes later with a goal by Humberto Madera at the 26:20 mark, and the score remained tied until the early minutes of the second half.
Heritage Hall took the lead for good with a goal off the foot of junior Alex Alspaugh.
From there, the Chargers went on the attack to put the match away, missing close call after close call.
“We always create chances,” Riley said. “That’s what our team does. I know we’re always gonna be in the game, even up until 80 minutes.
“The insurance goal, the third goal, finally came with a few minutes left, and a lot of credit to Turner Lentz, who scored it.”
Lentz, one of the team’s few seniors, got the ball in front of the goal and finished the chance.
“He’s been patient with us this year,” Riley said. “He scored probably one of the biggest goals we’ve had all season.
“Did a little dance in the box and put one in with his left foot, which is a miracle in itself that he’s using his left foot.”
Lentz could only laugh as he confirmed the miraculous nature of his left-footed goal.
“It was a shocker, I’ll say that much,” Lentz said. “I worked for it.
“It means the world, playing your final game and end with that. Nothing could beat it.”
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Class 4A soccer: Heritage Hall boys move up in class, repeat as champs
