Grissom Boys win, Girls fall in 6A State Finals

"We wuz robbed" – Grissom girls fall to Spain Park 2-1 in overtime.

From special PWT-blog correspondent, Doug - The Grissom-Spain Park girls final started out in windy conditions with Grissom benefiting from the wind in the first half. With Catherine Lumb pulling the strings from midfield, Grissom exploited Spain Park’s flanks to great effect. After some build up in the Spain Park box, a Grissom direct kick from 20 yards was beautifully parried by the Spain Park Keeper. Though they escaped the free kick, Spain Park could not escape the ensuing corner kick, which was converted by Isabel Shanteau and Grissom took a deserved 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.

As the first half progressed, pressure from Spain Park increased. The speedy Simonie Charley looked especially dangerous. Grissom’s keeper Katie Roberts came off her line to smother a couple of fine scoring chances. The half ended with Grissom clinging to their 1-0 lead.

The second half opened with some chances for both sides. Utilizing the wind, Spain Park increased their pressure as the half progressed. A free kick from just outside the box would be converted in the 33rd minute and the game was tied 1-1. That score held to the completion of regular time.

Two minutes into overtime Spain Park was awarded what has to be called a gift as the referee called a very soft foul in the top corner of the box and pointed to the penalty spot. The ensuing penalty was blasted up the middle and Spain Park took home their gift of a state title.

Grissom Boys dominate Hoover 3-0, Win State Championship

The Grissom boys took home their first state title of the millennium by beating the #1 ranked Hoover Pirates by a score of 3-0.

The game started with Grissom utilizing the winds at their back and their possession passing game to apply pressure to the pirates. Hoover responded with a more direct approach with neither team able to gain the advantage in the early moments of the match.

All this changed when Grissom took advantage of poor handling by the Hoover keeper. Mitch Wilson was able to poach the ball from the keeper and tuck the ball in at the near post giving Grissom the early 1-0 lead. Josh Konantz almost doubled the lead by holding off two Hoover defenders, only to see his ball cleared off the line.

The second half opened with Hoover taking advantage of the wind. They applied pressure which required some clean handling by Tiger’s keeper Josh Cook. Grissom absorbed the pressure and then took advantage of a quick counter in the 53rd minute. Mitch Wilson broke free down the left wing and teed up Jake Vayda with a cross across the goal mouth. Vayda punished the Hoover lapse and doubled Grissom lead 2-0.

Four minutes later it was Wilson again who gained possession at the Hoover 18, turned his man, and shot a beautiful ball to the far corner giving Grissom a 3-0 lead.

This lead proved insurmountable as the Grissom back four, led by Jonathon Ray and Justin Jong, repelled anything that Hoover threw at them and rode out the game to a well deserved 3-0 win.

Another thanks goes to PWT-blog special correspondent Doug for these great game reports.