Gibbons advances to soccer final again

RALEIGH -- If the Cardinal Gibbons boys soccer team felt intimidated by going up against Kill Devil Hills First Flight goalie Sean Dwyer in the NCHSAA 2-A Eastern Regional title game, the Crusaders certainly didn't show it in a 2-1 victory over the Knight Hawks.

Dwyer had posted 46 career shutouts, 18 this season, and had not allowed a single goal in the postseason heading into Wednesday's showdown with the Crusaders.

Thirteen minutes into the contest Gibbons ended that streak.

Seph Babington scored the first of his two goals as the Crusaders earned their fourth consecutive trip to the 2-A state championship game.

Cardinal Gibbons (23-2-1) will play the winner of the Salisbury- Shelby West regional match on Saturday at 10 a.m. at N.C. State's Dail Soccer Stadium.

The Crusaders won the 2-A state title in 2006 with a 6-3 win over Mount Pleasant, but fell last year to Newton Conover 1-0.

Babington and Michael Zimmerman, who assisted Babington's first goal, have been key players in all four of Gibbon's runs at the state championship.

"You can never expect anything at this stage, but to keep doing it over and over is a great feeling," Gibbons head coach Tim Healy said. "We have seven senior starters, so you just have to put it in their hands, and they know how to come through."

Babington scored his second goal 10 minutes before halftime following a well-placed corner kick by fellow senior Daniel Del Rosario to put the Crusaders ahead 2-0 at intermission.

First Flight (21-3-1) netted their lone goal at the 30:26 mark of the second half on a strong kick from Patrick McCarthy.

Eric Hamilton saved seven shots for the Crusaders.

Cardinal Gibbons 2, First Flight 1

Goals: CGI--S. Babington 2; FFL--P. McCarthy.

Assist: CGI--M.Zimmerman.