BETHESDA -- With Thomas Johnson providing the only blemish on seventh-ranked South Carroll's record, a tie to close the regular season, the Cavaliers needed little motivation for last night's rematch with the Patriots of Frederick County in the Class 3A West regional semifinal.
"It's payback time," shouted South Carroll coaches and players before the game. South Carroll's early-season 4-0 win over Thomas Johnson (6-5-3) was a distant memory for the Cavaliers.
Just as the game appeared to be heading for another overtime, with 74:15 of scoreless play, South Carroll senior forward Robert Ridgely beat the Thomas Johnson defense to the ball down the right side.
Ridgely sent a cross to senior midfielder Emmanuel Smyrnioudis, who tapped the game-winner past Thomas Johnson senior goalie Steve Heller for a 1-0 victory.
hTC "I'm finally helping the team out and it feels real good," said Smyrnioudis, who scored his second goal of the season, both coming in the playoffs.
South Carroll (14-0-1) plays Walt Whitman High, a 3-0 winner over Linganore in the other Class 3A West regional semifinal, at Magruder High School on Wednesday.
South Carroll, extending its unbeaten streak to 20, will be playing its fourth straight playoff game in Montgomery County when the Cavaliers face nationally ranked Whitman.
South Carroll has ousted Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Paint Branch, two Montgomery County schools, from the playoffs.
Thomas Johnson, after holding South Carroll scoreless for the first 40 minutes, packed the defense and played for overtime and a possible shootout.
South Carroll, meanwhile, shut down the Patriots all-time leading goal scorer Peter Quin (11 goals, 26 career), with Smyrnioudis and senior midfielder Adam Aulestia marking the Patriots senior striker.