The varsity soccer team earned the silver medal falling 3-2 in penalty kicks to Norfolk Academy after 90 minutes of scoreless, spirited play Friday at Sports Backers Stadium.

Second best in the state is nowhere near shabby, as this Saints team ran off eight straight wins to reach the state final.

It shouldn't be said that the magic ran out as the Saints gave a 20-1-1 Norfolk team all it could handle. Both teams spent time controlling possession evenly in the first half.

The Bulldogs handled possession for a 10-minute period in the second half, concerning the Saints fans. But senior backs Ned Ende and Ned Ukrop, along with keeper Mohammed Sarhan '14 were up to the task, thwarting dangerous attempts.

That allowed the Saints to turn the tables and fire at the Bulldogs in the latter 10 minutes. Porter Reinhart '13, Will Abbott '13 and Doug West '13 all had terrific shots on goal forcing NA's keeper to make six saves.

The two five-minute overtime periods provided fireworks for both teams before the PK period began with Norfolk coming up with three stops to win the contest.

The Saints finished the season at 15-6-3, surpassing expectations and setting the table for another successful year in 2013.

Key seniors are graduating, but several players including Trey Romig '14, Logan Ende '15, Ben Vaeth '16, Sarhan, Pierce Edlich '16 and Ben Moore '15, played a vital role in the state final and will continue to lead the program forward.