AC Flora boys soccer edges Dreher, keeps repeat hopes alive

A.C. Flora’s boys soccer team seems to possess the ability to find something extra come playoff time.

The defending Class 3A state champions were dealt a pair of one-goal losses to Dreher in the regular season, and the Blue Devils controlled the pace and flow for much of the third meeting.

Yet Flora struck when it needed to, as Tanner Reagle converted a Elixon Martinez cross into the game-winning goal with four minutes left to give the Falcons a 2-1 win Saturday.

The victory pushes the Falcons (14-7) into the Upper State finals at Chapin on Tuesday.

“We don’t know how we’re going to win a game,” Flora coach Matt Barry said. “We don’t even know when we come into a game. We just know we’re going to fight, we’re going to do our best to defend our tails off. At times we’ll gain possession, at times we’ll look to play quick. I just kind of let the boys decide, let the game decide and find a way.”

Barry admitted his team took a while to find an identity after losing a large senior group from 2015. It began to crystallize as his team upset Berea and Daniel on the road in its first two playoff games, both by 2-1 scores. Another trip to the state’s final four was the mark of building a consistent program.

The outcome was a bitter pill for the Blue Devils (20-2-1), who held possession much of the first half, attempted more corner kicks (4-2) and held a 10-8 lead in shots on goal.

The first goal Dreher let up even came off a miscue, when keeper Cody Bach misplayed a rolling ball and Martinez raced past him for an easy goal.

“We made one more mistake than they did,” Dreher coach Clark McCarthy said. “They capitalized on our mistakes. Gave away those two goals. Credit to them, and like I said, they’re always, when they get into the playoffs, that team kind of turns on and finds a way to win.”

Dreher’s lone score came when Evan Phillips tapped in a free kick from Walker Lahaise.

The Falcons lost twice to Chapin in the regular season, both one-goal games. But for this team and this program, that probably doesn’t mean much.

“We’re hungry,” said Reagle, adding his team was confident against Dreher despite the regular-season outcomes “We’re still hungry. We know there’s a lot more work left to do and we’ve got to get after it.”