Cascia Hall captures its third straight soccer championship

TULSA — Instead of celebrating his first goal in the usual fashion, Cascia Hall's Price Pinkerton sprinted over to the cornerkick area and began posing for fake photos taken by teammate Bryon Dale's imaginary camera.

Half an hour later, the real pictures were taken as Cascia Hall players hoisted their third consecutive Class 4A boys soccer championship trophy amid a crowd of students and fans.

Scott Chevaillier scored the game-winner and Pinkerton scored twice in the second half as the Commandos topped Oklahoma Christian School 3-0 Saturday at Tulsa University. The three-peat ended an impressive postseason run by OCS which saw the Saints, ranked ninth going into the playoffs, pull off one upset after another en route to the school's first appearance in the championship game.

Nonetheless, after a scoreless first half, the Commandos showed why they have owned Class 4A since the sport's split from two classes to three in 2006.

"All three championships feel different, but especially this one,” Chevaillier said. "We're like a whole new team.”

Indeed, the previous two titles were won by squads loaded with upperclassmen. After losing 11 seniors to graduation last year, the 2008 team was made up of players getting a chance to continue the tradition.

"Even though we won the last two (titles), we weren't expected to win it this year,” Chevaillier said. "We were the darkhorse.”

Actually, OCS had that label. The Saints entered the playoffs with five losses and promptly knocked off No. 2 McGuinness, last season's Class 5A champion.

But Saturday belonged to Cascia Hall.

Chevaillier, a junior, broke the scoreless tie in the 54th minute, beating OCS keeper Tucker Holland with a shot into the lower left corner. Pinkerton, another junior, sealed the game with an insurance goal with 13:33 left. He added another for good measure off a corner kick from Pete Testa with 8:46 left.

OCS ends the season 13-6. Cascia, which lost its opener to Class 5A finalist Tulsa Kelley, won 13 straight to close at 13-1. The Commandos lose just two seniors, making them the early favorite for a fourth crown.

"I don't think we'll be the underdog next year,” Chevaillier said with a laugh. "We're going to be strong — real strong.”

Jorge Estrada scored a goal less than eight minutes in and it turned out to be the game-winner as Tulsa Washington won the Class 5A boys soccer championship Saturday at Tulsa University. The Hornets topped Tulsa Kelley 3-0.

The match was close statistically everywhere but the scoreboard as the Hornets won their seventh state title in program history.

Chris Carwile scored at the 33:36 mark for a 2-0 lead and Nate Doll iced it in the second half.

The Hornets outshot the Comets 9-7, but the two first-half goals were more than enough thanks to Booker T.'s defense that suffocated the Kelley forwards. It was the first time all season that Kelley was shut out. Kyle Whitten and Sam Miller each had assists.

Tulsa Washington ends the season at 13-4, while Kelley finishes 16-2.