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Wolverines survive and advance

Culbreth’s goal lifts Westfield/Brocton to 1-0 quarterfinal win over Portville

Westfield/Brocton Wolverines senior co-captain Nathan Culbreth (11) defends during Thursday’s Section VI, Class C quarterfinal playoff boys soccer game at the NorthLake Soccer Complex in Westfield. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.

WESTFIELD — For most of Thursday’s Section VI, Class C boys soccer quarterfinal game at the NorthLake Soccer Complex in Westfield, the ninth-ranked Portville Panthers and the No. 1 Westfield/Brocton Wolverines were deadlocked in a scoreless contest. Though the opportunities clearly favored the hosts, the Wolverines were unable to find the back of the net.

Then, with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Wolverines called upon senior Nate Culbreth for a free kick from 40 yards out. It was the sixth free kick of the game Culbreth put on net, but while the first five resulted in saves by the Portville goalkeeper, the sixth opportunity could not have been executed any better. Culbreth drilled the kick off the crossbar and across the goal-line for what ended up being the game-winning goal to send the Wolverines to the Class C semifinals.

“The opportunities were there, we just weren’t finding the net. We had some decent free kick opportunities, some good crosses, but we just couldn’t buy a goal,” said Westfield/Brocton coach Jared Winder. “But then, Nate (Culbreth) nailed one from pretty deep. That was huge from a senior leader, a captain for our guys. He’s done that before and that’s why he’s the guy who’s taking that kick. He was able to cash it in.”

Culbreth’s goal was the difference in a 1-0 win for the Westfield/Brocton Wolverines over the Portville Panthers on Thursday at NorthLake. In what was his final game at NorthLake after four years on the varsity program, the Westfield three-sport standout had a moment to remember to keep the Wolverines’ Section VI title hopes alive.

“I had goosebumps, for sure. … I just had a feeling about that one, that it would go in,” said Culbreth. “I love Westfield. I moved here when I was younger and growing up through high school, it’s just been a blessing to play here. I don’t want it to be over yet.”

Nathan Culbreth and his teammates celebrate after Culbreth's goal to give the Westfield/Brocton Wolverines a 1-0 lead. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.

Westfield/Brocton (17-0, 1-seed) struggled offensively to find the back of the net, but the chances were there. Between Culbreth’s free kicks on net and crosses in the box that resulted in headers or redirections that just missed the net, it seemed like just a matter of time before the Wolverines found the back of the net. However, the fact that it took nearly 70 minutes for the top seed in Class C to find the back of the net was alarming. Winder believes it was the pressure of being the heavy favorite that played into the early offensive struggles.

“I had the sense at the beginning of the game that my guys were feeling the pressure a little bit,” said Winder. “I think we played a little tight those first 30 minutes. Portville came out and did a darn good job. They played a tough, physical game and it limited our opportunities. Their kids hustled, they stepped to the ball really well. … They definitely competed the entire game with us.”

It just seemed fitting that it was one of the veterans of the Wolverines to come through when the team needed it most.

“These guys, I told them I’m going to give them my all as long as they give me their all, and that’s all they’ve done,” said Culbreth. “We practice hard, we make sure every game is like a playoff game. Now, if we don’t win, we go home — and I’m not ready to go home yet.”

While the offense may not have had the type of numbers that lived up to the high expectations of a top seed through the first half-plus of Thursday’s game, the defense of the Wolverines was as fierce as ever. The Wolverines completed their 14th shutout of the season on Thursday, while goalkeeper Mike Johnson was hardly tested at all.

“I thought our defensive play was outstanding,” said Winder. “Connor Dispense played a phenomenal game today defensively for us, and he was one of many that did for us. He did a lot of great things today. … He’s in the mix of a really good starting defense, and sometimes one single guy can go amiss until all of a sudden, they have an all-star level game. He really showed today that he’s a force to be reckoned with back there, just as much as our other guys.”

Moving forward, the Wolverines are now set up to face the Maple Grove Red Dragons in the Class C semifinals. While the Wolverines have a flawless record this season, the only thing keeping Maple Grove from boasting the same thing is Westfield/Brocton. Maple Grove’s only two losses this season were 1-0 losses to Westfield/Brocton. Now, they meet again with a spot in the Sectional title game on the line.

“They’re a great team. Some of our best games we’ve played all year have been against them, and they’re going to come in with a chip on their shoulder, like they have something to prove,” said Winder of Maple Grove. “That’s the same way we have to approach the game, as well. I expect it to be a hard-fought game. I don’t expect a high-scoring affair, knowing our track record with them this year. If we come out and execute and not allow the pressure to build or affect us too much, I like our chances.”

It’s not often that Maple Grove can be seen as an underdog, especially after the amount of success the Red Dragons have had in recent years. Maple Grove will certainly not be taken lightly by the Wolverines.

“It’s always easier to have the underdog mentality. Through my high school years at Westfield, we’ve always been the underdog, and that’s easier. It’s not so much pressure,” said Culbreth. “This year, we’ve been handling it well, and now we just need to play our best against Maple Grove and whatever happens, happens. We just need to play our heart out and that’s all we can do.”

The Wolverines take on the Red Dragons on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Eden High School.

Twitter: @bradencarmen

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