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South Range’s quest for state crown stopped by Mansfield Christian
South Range vs. Mansfield Christian Boys Soccer Division III state semifinal
Gallery
By Ryan Buck
WADSWORTH
The most successful season in the 10-year existence of the South Range High School boys soccer program came to an end Wednesday at Art Wright Stadium.
In their first state semifinal, the Raiders (17-2-2) fell 4-0 to defending Division III state runner-up Mansfield Christian.
“We played a very, very good team,” South Range coach Joe Staffeld said. “We did not play to our expectations, bottom line. I’m proud of our boys. They worked hard all year. They’ve got a lot to be proud of.”
The Flames (18-2-2) limited the Raiders’ possession, controlled the run of play and pierced a South Range defense that allowed 10 goals all season.
Raiders goalkeeper Brant Rothbauer smothered a 20-yard rocket from Jared McPeek seven minutes into the match before diminutive midfielder Brooks Thomas nearly put South Range ahead moments later with a header deflection off a Brandon Youngs free kick.
At the 29:46 mark of the first half, the Flames counterattacked, targeting standout striker Brendan Ernsberger in the middle of the field.
Ernsberger, the Flames offensive facilitator, fended off Jonah Wilson, South Range’s most imposing defender, and found fellow striker Brandon Mount trailing him. Mount cut back to the top of the 18-yard box, squared himself and beat Rothbauer with a left-footed drive.
“[Mansfield Christian’s] runs off the ball are what coaches dream of,” Staffeld said. “They’re a good team and well-disciplined.”
The Flames continued their possession dominance for much of the half.
A Cole Durina cross was cut off by Flames goalkeeper JP Trueblood before Youngs sent a header his way moments later.
At the 16:55 mark, Rothbauer charged McPeek, forcing a point-blank, 10-yard shot wide right.
McPeek redeemed himself with seven minutes left in the half, taking one touch from another Ernsberger pass before burying his shot for a 2-0 lead.
“This South Range team, they’ve found ways to win because they were kept in games,” said Mansfield Christian coach Stephen Armstrong, whose team is in the state final four for the third time in four seasons.
“The longer that we kept them in the game, the more confidence that they were going to get and the more forward they were going to get and more chances they were going to get,” Armstrong said. “We wanted to put them away early in the first half and we did.”
Ernsberger effectively ended the suspense with 1:28 left in the half when he stole a failed clearance in the South Range end and finished the chance with his left foot.
“Brendan kept his composure in front of the goal,” Armstrong said. “He was unselfish tonight as he’s been all season.”
Ernsberger capitalized again on a Raiders miscue with 24:57 left in the second half, placing a left-footer inside the right goal post for a 4-0 lead.
Rothbauer, under siege for much of the night, made four saves on 12 Flames shots. The Raiders registered two shots on Trueblood’s net.
South Range, graduating 11 seniors, is the first public school from The Vindicator coverage area to advance to the state tournament since the 1989 Canfield boys squad.
“We’re the last public school left in [the] Division III [state tournament,” Staffeld said. “I think we’re ranked No. 1 for public schools in the state and I’m proud of them for that.”