 |
| Sarp and Artope set the new record for goals in a season. |
It couldn't have been more perfect: Two seniors tied for the
lead in goals scored with 70 each; both on the verge of breaking the school
record for goals in a season; both about to play in their final district
championship game. That was the scene
attackmen Lane Artope and Bailey Sarp found themselves in as they stepped onto
the field ready for the opening face-off against rival Olympia. The two-man season-long journey towards the
top of the record book reached its apex in the duo’s most important game of the
year, one that could very well have been the last of their careers.
Before the final conclusion unfolded, it is good to know
what their quest was all about. In 2006,
senior attackman Reed Reynolds set a new standard for goal scoring at WO,
reaching what was once thought to be an unattainable number with 71 goals. To put the record into context, Reynolds
broke his own record of 56 goals set during his junior season. Prior to Reynolds’ 56 goals, the record was
48 goals, established first by Jerry Servino during his senior campaign in 1997
and again by Chris Brannan in his senior year of 2002. Reynolds’ record was not only impressive in
its own right; he was also the only one in school history to surpass 50 goals
in a season, adding even more credence to what he accomplished.
Since Reynolds’ graduation, the 50+ goal mark had only been
reached seven times. In only three
occasions had a Warrior reached 60+ goals with Alec Benkovich (2012) and Dan
Crayner (2010) coming the closest to Reynolds’ hallowed record with 67 goals
each their senior years. The third
player to reach the 60 goal mark was Sarp with 64 goals his sophomore year…as a
midfielder. Talk amongst the program was
that if anyone could reach Reynolds it would be Sarp, especially with his move
to attack his junior season. However,
Sarp’s run to the record was derailed his junior year after missing half the
season due to injury – yet he still ended up cranking in 41 in limited action.
Healthy for his final year, Sarp set his sights on Reynolds’
record. The wildcard to this story was
how well would Artope perform in his only season with the Warriors, especially after
having to sit out his junior season due to transfer rules. Even more important, how would two
alpha-scorers work together in the offense?
The answer to those questions is evident in the scenario facing the two
attackmen as they prepared to play for a district title.
Both Artope and Sarp played great off each other throughout
the season. If one was hot, it would
only be a matter of time before the opposing defense moved to shut him down,
allowing the other to take off. Each
tied the school record for goals in a game at 10, on separate occasions. Neither had it easy, either. With a young and inexperienced midfield to play
with, both Artope and Sarp were the focus of defenses because they were the
catalysts to the Warriors’ offense. Each
had their fair-share of double teams and lock-offs to deal with.
As the district championship began, it took Artope less than
two minutes to tie up Reynolds’ record.
Six minutes later, Artope set the new standard with his 72nd
score. With eight minutes remaining in
the half, Sarp got his opportunity to tie Reynolds. Five minutes into the second half, Sarp, too,
notched his 72nd goal.
As the final horn sounded, the Warriors celebrated its
fourth-straight district title with their two seniors now perched at the top of
the record book. Artope ended the game
with a team-high six goals bringing his season total to 76. Sarp added three goals in limited play due to
injury, netting himself 73 on the season.
Reynolds will now be joined by two others in the exclusive
club of 70-goal scorers at WO. Only time
will tell if the club will make room for another.
No comments:
Post a Comment