Baylor senior center back Eli Jackson let out a yell after popping up from a powerful slide tackle that shut down a run by McCallie standout Dylan Capazario.
Later on, Jackson and his teammates had even more to celebrate.
The Red Raiders, who have nine collegiate soccer signees, hope to repeat as state champs later this month at the Spring Fling, but on Friday they added a Division II-AA East Region title with a 3-0 road win against the rival Blue Tornado, scoring all three goals in a stellar second half.
Jackson, a Wofford signee, scored first in the 55th minute off a well-placed corner kick by fellow senior Phelipe Spielman that struck Jackson headed into the far right side of the goal past the diving keeper. It was his first goal of the season and Spielman’s team-leading 12th assist.
“Last year I was in Nashville playing with an academy team,” said Jackson, who played for Baylor as a freshman and sophomore. “I wanted to come back to Baylor and be a part of a state championship this year. This is the strongest team on paper we have all been a part of. We just have to keep finishing and be aggressive against anybody that comes at us. We were ready for opportunities today.”
After falling 2-0 at McCallie (12-4) in the regular season, Baylor (15-3-1) was able to take full control in the postseason rematch.
Senior midfielder David Mitchell helped spark the Red Raiders in their domination of possession time, and Mohammed Wumpini and Gui Gragnano provided more separation on the scoreboard. Wumpini cut past several defenders on the left sideline and hammered his shot into the top left side of the goal in the 61st minute for a 2-0 lead. Gragnano sealed the deal in the 73rd, when he cut inside to drill his 24th goal of the season.
“We have too many offensive attacking-minded players that are very, very dangerous to not create chances,” Baylor coach Curtis Blair said. “Phelipe played a great ball to Eli, and Mo and Gui’s goals were really solid and well earned. None of them were flukes. For this team to have nine signees is unbelievable.
“This is not the end of it. We are focused on the next match.”
Red Raiders keeper Zach Ubamadu made an impressive leaping grab over the top of an attacker in the second half and also made a diving stop to his left on a Blue Tornado free kick from just atop the 18-yard box in the first half.
Baylor has outscored its competition 66-27 this year.
“Losing to McCallie earlier this season really woke us up,” Mitchell said. “When we play together, no one can stop us. Tonight we worked as a team. We are going to keep putting it together, because we are here to defend our state championship.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.