Liberty outlasts Beavercreek to earn first trip to state final

Entering a Division I state semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Hilliard Bradley, Anderson deAndrade of the Olentangy Liberty High School boys soccer team had never been in a shootout.

Following a 2-1 (14-13 in penalty kicks) victory over Beavercreek, the junior goalie is a shootout veteran.

After allowing 13 players to score in the shootout, deAndrade dove to the right and got an arm on Josh Molter’s kick. It was enough to turn away the shot and send Liberty to the state final for the first time.

The Patriots improved to 16-2-3 and will play defending champion Cleveland St. Ignatius at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Crew Stadium. Beavercreek, ranked second in the final state poll, finished 21-1-1. The Beavers’ only other blemish was a 1-all tie with Olentangy Orange.

“Since I am more right oriented, I felt like I would have the best chance of saving one like that,” said deAndrade, who got a hand on four other kicks in the shootout. “I knew I was going to save at least one. I just didn’t know when.”

Neither did anyone else. After the two overtimes ended, the Patriots and the Beavers went through the first five penalty kicks with no one missing to go into the sudden victory portion of the shootout. After the next eight players for each team scored, Sam DeRoy converted his shot to extend the Patriots’ streak and deAndrade followed with his save.

For most of the second half, it looked like overtime wouldn’t be necessary.

Beavercreek’s Zach Walker headed a shot past deAndrade for a 1-0 lead. However, with 1 minute, 34 seconds left, Thomas Gullo ripped a shot past Beavers’ goalie Alex Gill to tie the game.

“Someone served it in from the left side, and it took a couple of weird bounces,” said Gullo, who also made two penalty kicks in the shootout. “I ran in unmarked and hit it with my right foot. I was kind of lucky, but I am glad I finished it.

“It’s unreal to be going on to the state finals. We worked so hard to get here.”