More News

The same freedom on the field that nearly cost Whitman its first trip to a state boys soccer final since 2000 saved the Vikings in the end.

That, and Scott Gerfen's hat trick.

Minutes after Chris Vargas' game-tying goal for High Point, the senior forward darted through several defenders and sent a low, swerving shot inside the left post. The 68th-minute goal, Gerfen's third of the game, was the winner in Friday night's Class 4A state semifinal at Blair High.

"It feels amazing," said Gerfen, whose team will attempt to win its eighth state title next weekend against Urbana, which defeated Broadneck, 1-0, in Friday's other semifinal.

"It hasn't quite hit me," Gerfen added of scoring three goals in a state semifinal. "But it's exciting."

After a half when the Vikings (11-5-1) threatened but failed to score an earlier third goal, Gerfen's final masterstroke was of the brazen, instinctual variety that Dave Greene believes defines this team.

Gerfen stole the ball from a High Point defender, turned, lowered his shoulder, and drove with the ball inside the penalty area before unleashing an effort with power and placement that gave goalkeeper Herman Keungaze no chance.

"We allow our players to do that," Greene said. "At some point, it's like, I don't want them to be robots. It's a free-wheeling game. And that's the way we play."

Greene was quick to note that that same attitude nearly cost Whitman, which emerged from the Class 4A West Region despite not earning one of the bracket's top four seeds.

Five minutes before Gerfen's final goal, freedom turned into recklessness and a giveaway near Whitman's own goal. Vargas punished the Vikings and pulled the Eagles (13-3) level by reaching the ball, taking a touch to his right to avoid a defender, and unleashing a low drive past a diving Zack Khalifa and inside the left post.

"We were turning the ball over, and every time we turned the ball over they'd come right at us," Gerfen said. "We allowed them too much freedom dribbling. They were a lot more technical than I thought they would be."

But Gerfen enjoyed his own share of space. He made it 2-1 in the 31st minute after reaching the rebound of Jonathan Mehrez's deflected effort. And his opening goal came seven minutes in, as he collected a cool square ball from Sam Lilek and smashed it in from close range to make it 1-0.

Ayiisa Akuum leveled it in the 18th minute on a similar play, driving in Siwapun Phumipuk's pass from close range after Mario Sermeno's cross trickled through the area.

But High Point couldn't find an answer for Gerfen. Meanwhile, Eric Medrano, their most dangerous player and leading goal scorer, rarely got a shot away.

"We pressured them. We really have no regrets," said High Point coach Michael Holt. "They're a good team. Very good competition. They moved the ball well. This is one of the best teams we have played all season long."