Augusta Prep stuns Stratford

They came into this game nationally ranked, undefeated, back-to-back state champs and had been scored on only twice this season.

Augusta Prep didn't let that scare it as the Cavaliers upset Stratford of Macon 2-1 at Westminster's field on Saturday.

"This is the greatest victory in Augusta Prep soccer history," said Augusta Prep coach Derek Harrington.

For Stratford, this was the team's first loss since Oct. 19, 1996.

Things didn't begin so well for the Cavaliers (7-2-1) as they went down 1-0 in the first 10 minutes of the game when Wes Nobles toe poked a ball past goalkeeper Allen Hobbs after a melee in the Augusta Prep penalty area.

"That goal was fluke goal," said Augusta Prep forward Wes Dunaway.

The Cavaliers got the equalizer minutes later when D.J. Harrington headed home a cross from Jordan Stales.

The Eagles (11-1), ranked No. 20 in the latest Umbro high school soccer poll, pressured the Augusta Prep defense during the first half, but they could not find the back of the net. Both teams went into halftime with the score tied 1-1.

Both teams came out for the second half looking for the go-ahead goal, but neither team could penetrate the other defense in end to end action.

Stratford's best chance came on a free kick when Jeff Russell hammered a long ball in to the Augusta Prep penalty area and after a scuffle the ball was eventually cleared out of danger.

Dunaway hit the game winner when Harrington took a ball from his own half of the field and dribbled through two defenders and headed a ball to Dunaway who was on streaking down the left side of the field.

Dunaway made no mistake, pushing the ball past Sheldon McClendon from 10 yards out.

"D.J. (Harrington) gave me a great ball and I did my job," Dunaway said.

After the Cavaliers took the lead they packed all 11 players on their own side of the field trying to hold the Eagles off.

Stratford put Hobbs under siege looking for the equalizer, but Hobbs was up to the task. The Eagles almost tied the score in the last two minutes of the game when they clanked a shot off the post.

"When I heard it the clank, I said, `This is not happening'," Hobbs said.

Hobbs was spectacular in goal making 24 saves. This was done with him having three stitches in his right hand after he cut himself with a knife on Tuesday.

"That was the best game I've seen him play," said Harrington.

Goals: S- Wes Noble. A- D.J. Herrington, Wes Dunaway. Assists: A- Herrington, Jordan Stales. Goalkeepers: Sheldon McClendon (S), 13 saves. Allen Hobbs (A), 4 saves. Records: Stratford 11-1, Augusta Prep 7-2-1.