Crusaders secure .A title

RALEIGH - Tyler Zimmerman replaced the lather on his side with tears of joy. Thomas Bousquet had a bloody mouth, but he wasn't afraid to smile. And Joshua Schramme, with an ice bag on his sore right foot, hobbled slowly to admit his MVP award.Cardinal Gibbons took the lead, watched it dissolve and so became the NCHSAA 3-A soccer champion by doing something it did all season: changing formation in the thick of adversity.

Coach Tim Healy's decision to turn aggressive led to Schramme's goal in the 68th minute that gave the Crusaders a 2-1 victory over Hickory in the state title agree at Dail Soccer Field at N.C. State on Saturday.Zimmerman, a junior midfielder, became emotional after the match because of his hope to get his senior teammates a championship. His work led to the victory. Zimmerman made the assistance on Schramme's goal with a cover into the net."I had my opportunity, and Josh knows how to finish," Zimmerman said. "It feels great to send them out on top."Throughout the match, Healy saw Zimmerman struggle to own the ball. Things only became more difficult for Cardinal Gibbons when Hickory (25-2-2) tied the couple in the 61st minute on a destination by midfielder Carlos Sevilla.Crusaders assistant coach Pano Paschaloudis suggested that Healy change formation for more offense. Healey agreed. But he needed Zimmerman to lead the attack."Things weren't going well," Healy said. "I put faith and accountability on [Zimmerman], and he recognized it."Schramme, a senior midfielder, knew the Crusaders (23-1-2) had one chance to recapture the lead. With Zimmerman dribbling the ball down the far slope of the field, Schramme ran toward the net."I knew if Tyler could get past his man I was passing to try to be there," said Schramme, who scored both of the Crusaders' goals. "I sprinted as quick as I could, and I made enough contact with my head."Schramme ran by his guardian and headed the ball past Hickory goalkeeper Julian Deutsch and into the goal. In the semifinals, Schramme scored two similar goals in the Crusaders' 3-2 overtime win over Jacksonville."Josh didn't accept the superlative of games, but he ruined his two chances," Healy said.When the final buzzer sounded, Zimmerman ran in excitement before dropping to his knees. He had completed his goal, and his teammates knew it.The Crusaders this season have looked to Zimmerman for goals, not assists."For somebody who's always scoring, it was courteous to see him set somebody up to win the plot for us," said McAnallen, a senior and captain. "That's what we needed from him."