Millard West Wildcats

Dingledine directs Spartans to a win

Published Sunday by OWH  |  May 13, 2007

In only nine minutes to start the second half, Class A scoring leader A.J. Dingledine picked up three goals and had Lincoln East in control of the scoreboard as well as the match.

The Spartans went on to a 3-2 victory Saturday over Millard West at Morrison Stadium to open their bid for a record third straight Class A boys soccer title.

"A.J. is a special player, so he executed," East coach Jeff Hoham said. "I'll keep it in-house, but what we had to say at halftime had to light a fire. AJ took the team on his back. How many people in the state can score on a bike kick 8 yards out like that, finesse it into the upper (corner)? But remember he doesn't get those goals without the great assists."

While the official scoring had two of the Northeastern (Okla.) State recruit's goals as unassisted, Hoham said his scorebook had two assists for Jim Ebke and one for Brandon Videtich.

Millard West coach Ron Beernink, with a team at state for the first time since 2004, said the No. 9 Wildcats (12-9) had trouble matching East's speed and obviously its state-tournament experience.

"It's been the story in eight or nine of our losses. We give players a lot of time in our box and if we're that slow of foot or if we don't react well, it's been a concern," said Beernink, whose team led in the second half of seven of its losses.

Dingledine said he's gotten used to teams trying to take him out of the match with multiple defenders on him.

"Every time I look around, there's two guys on either side of me," he said. "I just work for openings, and when they come I try to finish them off." 

Lincoln East (15-3).........................0 3-3

Millard West (12-9).........................1 1-2

€ Goals: 1, MW, Aaron Galley (Thomas Heavey), 33:44. 2, E, A.J. Dingledine, 42:24. 3, E, Dingledine (Jim Ebke), 44:10. 4, E, Dingledine, 48:54. 5, MW, Matt Sifers, 75:16.