CLARKSVILLE — All season long, the Providence boys’ soccer team has wanted a chance to redeem itself in the Class A Providence Sectional final against Christian Academy.

On Saturday night at Memorial Field, the Pioneers got their opportunity and took full advantage of it.

Providence avenged last year’s 2-0 loss to the Warriors in the sectional championship game with a 2-1 victory in the 2012 sectional final.

The Pioneers (10-5-2) will face Salem (11-6) in the Class A Switzerland County Regional semifinal at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

“That’s all we thought about,” Providence senior captain Pierce Crawley said about paying back the Warriors. “It feels great. For a team [in the Pioneers] who was not expected to be as strong as last year’s team, it’s a great feeling.”

Providence coach Brandon Rogers was proud of the way his players persevered in winning their program’s first sectional title since 2008.

“It was a tough loss for us last year,” Rogers said. “I knew there was going to be no shortage of intensity tonight. I knew they wanted to pay back the favor.”

Crawley set the tone early for the Pioneers.

Three minutes and 6 seconds into the contest, Crawley scored from 15 yards out on Providence’s first shot on goal for a 1-0 lead.

“It was critical,” Rogers said about Crawley’s goal. “Sectional games are all about intensity, and we were able to control the first half because of that.”

The lead grew to 2-0 with 18:37 remaining in the first half. Providence junior Brent Hesse received a pass from Crawley in the goal box and nailed a short-range goal.

Christian Academy (6-7-4) cut its deficit in half with 3:24 remaining in the opening half. Junior Minho Lee averted Providence goalkeeper Jeffrey Wiles in the penalty area and connected on a wide-open 8-yard shot to make the score 2-1 Providence. The Warriors’ Sean Kim got the assist.

“Anytime you can pull back to within one before halftime, even a lucky shot can get you back into it,” Warriors’ coach Will Lorigan said. “You can figure out a plan for the second half.”

Despite Lee’s goal, Christian Academy had a difficult time figuring out the Pioneers’ defense.

Providence gave up only two shots on goal for the contest. The Warriors’ second shot did not occur until the game’s 77th minute when senior Josh Moore’s 30-yard boot on a free kick curved left of the goal.

“We just couldn’t pass it to ourselves. Anytime we passed it, it went to a blue jersey,” Lorigan said. “Tonight, we didn’t come in with a lot of intensity and that’s why they got that first goal.”

The Providence defense did a great job of deflecting several balls when Christian Academy tried to move closer to the goal.

“I thought our defense was great,” Crawley said. “They stepped up and played a great game.”

Rogers said his players did an outstanding job of keeping an eye on Lee.

“He’s got some speed and we had to focus on him,” Rogers said. “We knew what their plan was coming in.”

The Warriors got a great effort from junior goalkeeper Lucas Young, who made six saves. Young kept Christian Academy in the game in the second half by either catching or deflecting several hard shots by Providence.

“Lucas played well. We know goalkeeping is never going to be a problem for us,” Lorigan said.

The Warriors say goodbye to six seniors in Moore, Brandon Hamm, Caleb Ferree, Justin Baird, Quinn Banet and Matt Hurtgen.

 

PROVIDENCE 2, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1

Providence                 2 0—2

Christian Academy    1 0—1

First Half

    P — Pierce Crawley (unassisted), 3:06.

    P — Brent Hesse (Crawley), 21:23.

    C — Minho Lee (Sean Kim), 36:36.