Eastlake High Soccer Knocks Off Skyline 2-0 to win 4A Boys Soccer State Title

Brandon McComb of Eastlake High School came off the bench in the early stages of the second half on Saturday afternoon and scored the game-winning goal in the 46th minute. Sean Klauer added another goal in the 58th minute, as the boys soccer squad (14-3-2) defeated (15-3-2), 2-0 , in the Class 4A state championship match at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood.

The Wolves won their third state championship, following up State Titles in 1996, and 1997. For the Spartans, this was the best finish in school history for boys soccer in 2011.

"This is by far one of the best feelings," McComb said. "I just had to take the opportunity when I went in, and finished it."

The first half was one where Skyline had an advantage in the run of play but could not cash in their scoring chances against a stalwart Eastlake defense and top-form goalkeeping by Senior Zack Wile. The game was scoreless at the half.

"(Zack) Wile did an amazing job," Wolves coach Adam Gervis said.

Wile on his performance: "I was just in a zone."

Eastlake opened the scoring in the second half when McComb chipped a nice ball in from about 15 yards out over Spartan goalie Steven Pankiewicz, thanks to a pass from Klauer. That put the Wolves ahead 1-0.

Klauer then posted the final tally in the 58th minute when he took advantage of a rebound and slammed home the follow-up shot into the left corner of the goal to stretch the Eastlake lead to 2-0.

"When we got that second goal, you could tell Skyline was devastated," Klauer said.

"We had to take a risk," Spartan coach Don Braman said.

A major turning point in the Eastlake run to the championship was the lockdown defense led by Michael Gallagher. He talked about a key change to the team defensive strategy in the regular season. 

"We made a formation change late in the season and isolated three in the back,"Gallagher said. "That helped us out a lot."

Gervis on Gallagher's leadership: "(Michael) Gallagher was outstanding."

 Skyline battled the Wolves hard until the end and Braman lauded his team's efforts, despite the loss and especially with the 2011 season as a whole.

"I loved how the boys played tonight," Braman said. "I thought we were going to knock one in. We were playing well early. It just didn't go in for us."

"This is a great bunch of kids who made history with their first trip to the championship game," Braman said.

For Eastlake, to be able to walk off the field with the championship trophy was something emotional for seniors Klauer and Wile.

"This is absolutely insane and the biggest moment of my life," Klauer said.

Wile observed: "It feels so great after four years."