Johnson’s saves make difference for Lions

IRVINE — William Johnson’s confidence never wavered, even with the Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year coming at him for a penalty kick.

Actually, Johnson, the Vanguard University sophomore goalie, couldn’t have asked for a better situation. This was his chance to prove to everyone he was the GSAC’s top dog.

Johnson turned away the shot of Concordia’s Jeff Clark. It was one of two key saves the Lions goalie made in Vanguard’s emotional 4-1 penalty-kick shootout win in a semifinal of the Region II Men’s Soccer Tournament Saturday at Concordia.

“I felt I got robbed out of being the GSAC Player of the Year,” said Johnson, who led the conference with seven shutouts and a 0.29 goals against average. “[Clark] didn’t do anything special this season.”

Johnson kept Clark from doing anything special on Saturday, when the Lions overcame a 2-0 deficit to send the game into overtime.

Vanguard will play at Azusa Pacific in the Region II championship Saturday at 1 p.m.

Vanguard (14-2-2) had never allowed two goals in a game until facing the Eagles, the GSAC champions, who connected twice in the first 33 minutes. Concordia had dealt the Lions their only conference loss with a 1-0 win Oct. 3.

Jeremy Small, a Vanguard subsitutue who hadn’t scored all season, didn’t want the Lions to feel another heartbreaker. With 49 seconds left before halftime, Small scored his first goal of the season on a header.

The play started from an Anthony Burrola throw-in, then Kantey Locah-Adamagan headed it to Small.

Vanguard senior Darin DeVore later came up with what he called the greatest goal of his life. DeVore, a 6-foot defender who sports a Mohawk, struck from 30 yards out, blasting a goal in the lower right corner 14 minutes into the second half. Mike Borst, Concordia’s goalie, never had a chance.

DeVore’s goal came unexpectedly. The ball had just flicked out toward DeVore after a long throw-in. It seemed as if DeVore would pass the ball or dribble closer, but he fired quickly.

“That was the greatest goal in my life because it was an important game,” DeVore said. “That’s the first time we had been scored twice on in a game. Instead of getting down, we worked harder and we got one goal and another and worked it to the PKs.”

Jason Swift, Burrola, Brian Vestal and Ryan Sullivan scored on penalty kicks after 110 minutes of play. After Johnson’s diving save stopped Clark’s shot, Johnson stuffed Concordia’s second attempt from Ryan Ninke.

Johnson said his confidence helped. It also didn’t hurt that he channeled training he received when he played for the under-17 junior national team in Florida five years ago.

“We used to always practice on penalty kicks, so I have always been ready for those,” he said. “But it’s pretty much confidence. If you think you’re better than the person, then you’ll save it.”

Vanguard Coach Randy Dodge never had doubt about Johnson’s skills.

“Willie is awesome,” Dodge said of Johnson. “Willie knew going into PKs he was going to be the man. He’s a big-time player in a big-time game in a big-time situation and he stepped up and took care of it.”

Dodge also took care of business, all within 20 hours. He also coaches the Vanguard women’s soccer team, which defeated Point Loma Nazarene, 1-0, in a Region II semifinal Friday night.

It was the first time Vanguard advanced to the region championship and the Lions also tied for their most victories in a season at 13.

Vanguard plays at Azusa Pacific for the Region II women’s title Tuesday at 1 p.m.

“Wow, it’s been ride,” said Dodge, who is in his fifth year. “I kinda wanna cry sometimes. I’m happy for the boys and the girls. I’m really happy for the guys. This is five freaking years, a culmination of work, when I started recruiting. I’m so happy for them.”

The Vanguard men defeated the Cougars, 1-0, at Azusa Pacific Oct. 7.

“Azusa doesn’t want to play us because we are a tough matchup for anyone,” Dodge said.

The Lions led the GSAC with fewest goals allowed, three, during the conference season.