The Richmond Hill Wildcats boys’ soccer team played host to the South Gwinnett Comets on Wednesday night in a playoff game. The Wildcats lost 6-0 and were thus eliminated from the playoffs. 

“They had good speed and counter attacks,” head boys’ soccer coach Stephen Peterson said. “We just didn’t have an answer for it. I thought the halftime adjustments would work. We had some things going but it just wasn’t enough.”

Heading into the game, the momentum seemed to favor the Wildcats, as they were the #2 seed and the home team, while the Comets were the #3 seed and had to travel. 

“Soccer is truly a wild game,” Peterson said. “You can have a good game for 78 minutes and then in two minutes of play, you can find yourself down 6-0. Those nanoseconds are everything and they won in those times.

“They gave all they had in the game. You kind of need some magic in soccer in timing and spacing. They had it this time and we didn’t. We had some chances, but they had more.”

Coming off of their best win of the season, Peterson felt that the Wildcats would have great momentum to go the distance, but were stopped short. 

“We had our biggest win last Friday,” Peterson said. “We beat Glynn Academy for the first time in 13 years. Those guys were 15-1 and we came away with the win. I thought that would give us great momentum to outlast anyone, but it just wasn’t our night.

“I’m so proud of this group. They had a good season. They worked extremely hard together. They put everything into each other, this team and the program. Everyone is in it together. It’s not just the seniors that are upset. They all are. That’s what family is all about.”

While the team would finish with a 9-8-2 overall record and a first round playoff exit, Peterson does not feel as though the story is done for this group. 

“These seniors, they are going to be impactful and amazing young men,” Peterson said. “It’s not about how hard you get knocked down, it’s about getting back up again. These guys will get back up and put it all on the line. This builds them for later in life. Great sports bring out the best and worst in you and prepare you for life. 

“We have a strong core coming back. Some of our strongest players are in the junior group. The returning group is dynamic and passionate. There will be a good story there. This one hurts. It feels like a stab in the gut and in the heart, but we will bounce back.”