Berkmar Boys Open Soccer Playoffs With 3-2 Win

Ernesto Cardenas scored two goals, including the game-winner with 2:31 left in the game, as Berkmar won in its first soccer playoff game in more than 20 years, a 3-2 decision over visiting West Forsyth Wednesday night in the first round of the Class AAAAA boys tournament.

Cardenas hammered home the goal after teammate Martin Lugo’s hard shot deflected off the West Forsyth goalkeeper. Lugo had brilliantly dribbled past a defender and then into the box to take the shot and Cardenas was there for the point-blank follow.

Berkmar, which will play ether Walton or Milton next Wednesday at home in the second round, improved to 15-2-1. West Forsyth, the No. 4 seed from Region 6-AAAAA, ended its season 6-6-2.

“It’s amazing to score two goals,” Cardenas said. “Berkmar’s never been this far before. I’m proud to be a Patriot.

"It's the first time in history. Berkmar's never been this far before. ... On our home field. Our home jerseys. All our crowd. The fans; they're amazing. It's been a dream."

Berkmar was clearly the more skilled team Wednesday, with numerous shots at the goal in both halves, but West Forsyth still stood tough, making the most out of its few opportunities.

Berkmar held a 1-0 lead at halftime, though it probably could have been 3-0 or more.

On one of Berkmar’s big pushes at the goal, Kwadwo Twumasi collected a loose ball around 10 yards in front, then sent it into the top right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead with 10:46 on the clock. The Patriots had at least six good goal chances in the first half.

West Forsyth took advantage of the end-to-end wind in the second half to make the game closer than it probably should have been. Both of its goals came due to loose balls that Berkmar defenders had difficulties tracking down.

Drew Salvatore scored after a free kick to the mouth of the goal at the 37:26 mark of the second half, getting a foot on a loose ball to tie the game at 1-1.

Cardenas’ first goal also came from point-blank distance at the 27:16 mark off a beautiful assist from Fredrico DeAranburu, who worked the ball to the right corner, then around the defender and down the baseline before feeding Cardenas for an open-goal shot.

West Forsyth came back again nine minutes later on a loose-ball scramble that Ranier Lopez kicked home for a 2-2 tie.

Berkmar had three good chances to score before Cardenas’ game-winner.

"Games like that being so close; I've already got too many gray hairs for my age," Berkmar coach Tracy Crouch said.

"They're [West Forsyth] a tough team. I'm not going to take anything away from that team. You don't get to this point unless you're a quality team."