Nick Gonnella
Greensburg Daily News
Centerville —
The Greensburg boys soccer team advanced further into the postseason Thursday than any soccer team in school history, knocking off host Centerville 5-0 in the regional semifinal.
The Pirates will play Heritage Christian (9-8-3) Saturday at 1 p.m. for the championship. Heritage Christian beat Morristown in the other semifinal game. At stake is a trip to the Floyd Central Semi-State.
Centerville ends its season at 10-9-1, while Greensburg improves to 13-6.
The Pirates, who wore their home white jerseys, took advantage of the Bulldogs’ double-team defense of senior Tyler Burcham. Senior Edgar Cruz stepped up with a hat trick.
Burcham scored the first goal off a direct free kick with 26:24 left in the first period.
Cruz scored off an assist by Burcham at 15:48 in the first period. Seconds later, Burcham scored his second goal at 15:46 in the first period off an assist by sophomore Kyle Howard.
During the second period, Cruz scored two goals unassisted at 35:43 and 28:14.
Head coach Rick Fayette noted that senior goalkeeper Austin Schultz recorded five saves for the shutout. Schultz and the Pirate defense have not allowed a goal in the past two games, and have outscored the opposition 10-2 in the postseason.
Centerville’s goalkeeper tallied seven saves, while the Pirates took 12 shots on goal and scored five goals.
Contact Nick Gonnella at (812) 663-3111, x7003.
