Devils win battle of the blue

WHITE HOUSE The White House High boys soccer program has never lost a regional semifinal match.

That trend continued on Monday evening as the Blue Devils held on for a 2-1 victory over visiting Hume-Fogg in a Region 5 A-AA Tournament semifinal match.

“Travel season is fun, but you don’t go to the same school in travel season,” White House junior forward Josh Dunlap said. “There’s no student section.

“The further you go (in the postseason), the more fun it is.”

Mark Lamberth’s program improved to 13-0 in region openers, advancing to face Martin Luther King – a 3-0 winner over White House Heritage in Monday’s other 5 A-AA semifinal – in Wednesday evening’s championship match. The Blue Devils also earned a spot in one of Saturday’s eight Class A-AA sectional matches, the 12th time the program has reached that level. Sectional winners advance to the state tournament.

“Since 1996, we have played the toughest schedule we could have possibly (played),” Lamberth said. “We have conditioned hard – I’d hope harder than most other teams – and we don’t allow foolish behavior on the field. I don’t have to straighten out attitudes. They know (what is expected). I believe in doing things the right way, and the kids believe in it.

“Consistency is the first sign of character, and we have great character kids. Our goals are set very high. There’s not a pressure, but I think they love each other enough to want to fight for each other. That’s especially true of this group. I don’t think I’ve ever had a group where the seniors have hung out with the freshman as much as this group.”

In the final minute of the first half, White House freshman Matt Hooper played a ball diagonally ahead into the box that ricocheted off of a defender and to unmarked senior Mark Lees, whose diagonal shot slid into the right corner of the goal.

Then, in the 68th minute, Lees dropped a pass over to Dunlap, whose 20-yard shot sailed under the crossbar and into the upper, right corner.

“Coach said to just take as many shots as you can, it doesn’t matter how far out,” Dunlap said “I was thinking of passing, but I decided, ‘nah, just take the shot.’ I didn’t think it was going to be that perfect, upper 90 (into a 90-degree area where the bars of the goal meet).”

Less than three minutes later, Blue Knight senior Patrick Ferrell propelled a diagonal free kick off of the right post and into the goal.

However, the Blue Devils held on for their 15th consecutive victory.

Reach Craig Harris atcharris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports. 

White House High boys soccer program regional semifinal history

Year     Opponent       Final score

1996    Montgomery Central 6-1

1997    Montgomery Central 4-0

1998    York Institute 5-1

1999    Livingston Academy   3-2

2000    Livingston Academy   4-3

2001    Mt. Juliet Christian    3-1

2006    Livingston Academy   1-0

2009    Livingston Academy   2-0

2011    Christ Presbyterian Academy            2-1

2012    Martin Luther King     ​3-1

2013    Lipscomb Academy    5-2

2015    Martin Luther King     2-1

2016    Hume-Fogg     2-1

Total   13-0 record in regional semifinal matches