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By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor
Leesburg (June 6, 2015) – For the fourth time this season Tuscarora High School and Broad Run High School met in a boys soccer match as the Huskies and Spartans squared off in the VHSL 5A North championship in Leesburg on June 5 to crown the region’s top boys soccer squad.
Husky senior Zane Zyglowicz had the answer to the question as he scored a hat trick in route to Tuscarora’s 3-1 win.
“He started as a right back for us at the beginning of the year. A few games into the season we realized that he was better for us to use his speed up top,” Tuscarora head coach Dave Gryder said. “He’s scored some big goals here in some critical games. He’s definitely a striker.”
In the 23rd-minute, Zyglowicz found himself chasing down a ball that rolled towards the Spartan goalkeeper Owen White. On a clearing attempt by White, Zyglowicz got a head on it, the ball bounced over White’s head, Zyglowicz ran past White, recovered the ball and found the back of the Broad Run net.
“I was lucky enough to see where the ball landed, and when I saw it I just went for it,” Zyglowicz said. “It’s an easy finish from there.”
Zyglowicz added goals in the 68th and 69th minutes giving the Huskies a 3-0 lead with just over ten minutes to play.
“We know we have the speed up top with Zane up there,” Gryder said. “If we can play the ball and get him one-on-one, it’s a good chance he may be able to break it. That’s what it was tonight.”
That Spartans, however, did not go down easy as they dominated possession in the final ten minutes and in the 75th saw a goal from senior Sean Gwatidzo, but Broad Run head coach Jon Hicks noted even with the extended ball control his team just couldn’t finish.
“We just didn’t execute. We didn’t test the keeper enough,” Hicks said. “At the end of the day, we’re still alive. You got to give it to them. Congratulations.”
When the Spartans were able to execute, the Huskies countered with a tremendous defensive effort and limited one of the state’s top players, Abu Koroma, to only a few touches on the evening.
“Our defenders are a strong group. I think it’s one of our biggest assets,” Gryder said. “[Koroma]’s a key for us to make sure he isn’t able to get the ball, turn and start attacking us. When he does that, you’re at his mercy.”
“You play to win and being at home we wanted to get this region championship for the school and for the players,” Gryder said. “It helps with the momentum. You feel good about how’re you’re playing and what you’ve accomplished so far.”
Scoring:
23′ T Zane Zyglowicz
68′ T Zane Zyglowicz
69′ T Zane Zyglowicz
75′ BR Sean Gwatidzo
Owen Gotimer is a graduate of Syracuse University where he earned a degree in broadcast and digital journalism. Before attending SU, Owen graduated from Heritage High School in Leesburg. Follow LoCoSports on Twitter (@LoCoSports) for up-to-date news and scores from around Loudoun County.