Wesleyan coach Billy Coxhead had high expectation for his squad coming into the season, but, as he stood on the corner of the pitch Friday afternoon, he admitted to being taken away by what his Wolves accomplished.
Grant Sauer scored a pair of first-half goals, and Liam Coxhead and Bryce Cook each added a goal for the Wolves, who capped an undefeated season with a 4-0 win over Pace Academy in the Class AA state championship.
The Wolves (22-0-1) notched the program's first state championship.
"I certainly didn't expect an undefeated season," Coxhead said. "I wouldn't have predicted this in a million years."
Cook opened the scoring with a left-footed volley from outside the box that evaded Pace 6-7 keeper Jonathan Rushton to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead.
Sauer put Wesleyan in complete control later in the first half, scoring twice in a one-minute span. Coxhead set up Sauer’s first goal with a run to the backline that caused Rushton to get out position. Coxhead delivered a perfect cross back to Sauer who finished with ease.
One minute later, Sauer tallied again, and Wesleyan went into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Coxhead tacked a goal in the second half to seal the win.
Pace lost only twice all season, both times to Wesleyan. The Knights struggled to find much offense and couldn't overcome the early flurry by Wesleyan.
Next stop for the Wolves? "We're going to stop and eat dinner on the way home," Coxhead said. "We're going to a place with what all a bunch of teenage kids want -- all you can eat."
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