Putnam County’s soccer season came to an abrupt and disappointing conclusion on April 15 at home with a 2-1 double overtime loss to Vidalia, the No. 4 seed from Region 2-AA. Jonathan Reid provided the only goal for Putnam.
Vidalia was able to score a goal with just 11 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
The loss was especially poignant for Putnam County coach Rhett Roberts who is leaving the school at the end of the term.
Roberts said he is making a career change but doesn’t plan to abandon the players he has come to cherish as much as his own children.
“I have absolutely loved being a War Eagle coach,” Roberts said. “I’m really going to miss the boys. I’ve really enjoyed seeing them grow into young men. One thing we need more of is fan interaction, so next year I’ll be in the stands providing that.”
Putnam had entered the state tournament as the No. 1 seed from Region 4-AA.
Despite the seeding, Coach Roberts expected a tough game with Vidalia.
“Vidalia is an awesome team,” Roberts said. “They may have been better than the teams we played in our region.”
Roberts said it was very physical but clean match. However, Putnam County did wind up with six yellow cards.
Because the match took place during Putnam County’s Spring Break, a few players were unable to make it back to play in the game, including the starting goal keeper. But Bryan Caneles, who had started at keeper last season, stepped back into the role and excelled.
Roberts said Canales had played well in goal the previous season but wanted to get involved in the offense a little bit more as a senior.
“I wish we had done a little more to support [Canales] on offense but I was completely satisfied with his play,” Robert said.
Roberts jokingly said that after a short period of self-pity the coaches and players will get together one last time before he departs.
Vidalia will play Pace Academy in the second round. Pace thrashed Riverside Military 11-1 in the first round.