Boys Soccer: Bowie 1, High Point 0

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By James A. McCray III
Prince George's County, Content Manager

Bowie's Daniel Walker hunched over the ball, set it perfectly in place on the field and rose one finger. He then struck the ball and sailed it towards the front of High Point's goal. As the ball flew through the air, Walker's teammate, Brian Graham, leapt up and intercepted the ball with his chest keeping the ball in the air.

Graham landed, and after a few steps, took flight again and headed the ball towards the back of the goal. The ball struck the net and gave Bowie a 1-0 lead in Tuesday's 4A South regional championship game at High Point.

The goal would stand as the lone goal of the game and in turn gave Bowie its third consecutive 4A South regional championship.

"Me and Graham have been working on it since the beginning of the year," Walker said. " ... He came through with the chest and the head and put it in."

" ... I chested the ball over top of [the High Point goalie]," Graham said, " ... and jumped over him and headed the ball in."

After allowing two quick goals and falling behind 2-0 to Eleanor Roosevelt in its 4A South semi-final match, Bowie came out and allowed no goals in its victory Tuesday.

"I was very pleased with the kids, because we came out ready to play," Bowie head coach Richard Kirkland said. "We didn't against Roosevelt and we came from behind. This game we came out from the very beginning and they were ready to play, and that is what I am hoping they do next time."

At times, rain fell heavily onto the playing field allowing for limited footing for each team.

"I think that weather helped us a little bit," Kirkland said. "I was a little surprised because, usually, weather is against us. Our footing was a little bit better than theirs. ... [High Point's] forwards are tough, they really are.

"They are quick and good ball handlers, but again, I think the elements were such that once they got the ball, they couldn't do what they wanted to do because of the slippery conditions."

Bowie has not advanced past the state semifinals in either of the previous two years. Quite possibly, however, the third time could be the charm after the regional championship win kept Bowie undefeated on the year as the Bulldogs improved to 16-0.

"I am not going to make any predictions right now," Kirkland said. "We have been going one game at a time. Why change that?"

High Point last made it to the state tournament in 2003 and fell just short of another bid this season.

With the loss, the Eagles finish the season 10-3-1.

tmccray@digitalsports.com


Bowie 1, High Point 0

High Point    0   0
Bowie          1   0
Goals:
Bowie (Graham)