Trojans Fall 2-1 in Regional Semi-Finals

The visitor’s bench at Barron Collier High School was filled with heartbroken Lely Trojans Friday night, February 16, after they came up just short - 2-1 - to the homestanding Cougars. But their tears did not show weakness. More so, it was a letdown after each player left everything on the field in a regional semi-final game that literally could have gone either way.

The players had just received praise and thanks from their head coach Robbie Schank, who has led the Trojans for 30 years.

“I told them I couldn't be more proud of them,” said Schank. "These guys made my 30th anniversary something to never forget. Something very special. They brought home the district championship, which they earned. They came here and battled against the fourth-ranked team in the state, 2-1. I mean, I think Barron's averaging five goals a game, and they got two on us. They have a good team. They have a good coach. I respect their coach a lot and I wish him the best. And hopefully one of the Collier County teams takes the state championship.

Just two weeks earlier, the Trojans were deliriously celebrating a district championship win over Golden Gate. The thrill of victory and agony of defeat played out in high school soccer. The Trojans were inches from celebrating again.

“We had multiple, multiple, multiple opportunities,” Schank said, "at least six point blank chances to score. And we failed to do so in the first half. And that's been the difference for us. The last six, seven games when we got those opportunities, we won it for us. And tonight, we hit posts. We hit cross bars. We didn't get a good footing on it. And somehow, their keeper made good saves, and it just didn't go in. And that was honestly the difference. It would've been a completely different game if we were able to capitalize on those opportunities. We made two different mistakes here. We thought the ball was out of bounds because of the two black lines. Our guy let up because he thought it was out. They crossed it and they finished it. And when we had the first goal it was an open goal. But hats off to these guys. It sucks for us, but I'll be back next year. It was a phenomenal season.”

Lely finishes the season 13-6-5 after starting 6-5-5. Barron Collier (13-1-2) hosts Naples (14-4-1) for the regional championship on Wednesday, February 21.