BLUE SPRINGS • DeSmet’s Prince Kabadeh was not about to be denied.
“When I got the ball, the only thing on my mind was making sure I got off a shot,’’ Kabadeh said after scoring the game-winning goal with 5 minutes 29 seconds to play in overtime Friday. The goal lifted the Spartans to a 2-1 victory over Lee’s Summit West in a Class 3 semifinal at Blue Springs South High.
“I hadn’t had a lot of chances, so I knew I had to make the most of that one,’’ Kabadeh said.
And he did.
After receiving a pass from Scott Russo, Kabadeh dribbled with purpose across the top of the box before unleashing a low shot across his body to the far corner.
“That was a big-time play,’’ DeSmet coach Greg Vitello said.
The Spartans, ranked No.1 among STLhighschoolsports.com large schools, improved to 24-4-1 and advances to take on Oakville in the state championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Oakville won 1-0 in penalty kicks over Rock Bridge in the late semifinal. The Tigers, who went five-for-five in PKs, also received a key penalty-kick stop from goalkeeper Alec McChesney. Rock Bridge was ranked No. 1 in the statewide Class 3 poll.
Friday’s game was a typical one for DeSmet. The Spartans controlled the game, missed on numerous scoring chances and still somehow found a way.
“It’s really frustrating, having all those chances and not being able to put them away,’’ Kabadeh said. “But it’s something we’ve battled all season long.’’
But that tight-game experience may have also worked to the Spartans’ advantage.
“On the plus side, our guys have learned to play with a lot of poise,’’ said Vitello, who singled out senior Sean Badock for his work in the midfield. “Sean was the star of the game for us tonight.
“We knew we were in a tough spot, a spot we created for ourselves, but we kept at it and eventually managed to get the job done.’’
After a scoreless first half, DeSmet continued its dominating play and took the lead about 11 minutes after the break when Louie Berra scored on a 25-yard free kick through a crowd.
Not long after West’s Chase Fearon hit the cross bar, the Titans (24-7) tied it with 6:23 to play in regulation when a shot from Drew Douglas found the net after deflecting off a DeSmet defender.
In overtime, Vitello asked his players to be more selfish.
“That’s a quality team and a well-coached team,’’ Vitello said of the Titans, who eliminated defending champion Rockhurst in district play. “We knew we had to protect against their counter, but we also needed to keep going forward. At times tonight, we we were way too willing to give the ball up instead of attacking the goal.’’
Fortunately, Kabadeh took the coach’s words to heart, coming up with his team-leading 22nd goal to send the Spartans to the title match.
“It means everything to me and to the rest of these guys,’’ he said.
