Intensity flooded the air as the game entered the final five minutes, each team was desperate for a goal as the game had remained scoreless. Finally, with little over three minutes left, Parker Miller, 11, was fouled inside the box and would receive a penalty kick.
A 1-0 victory over the Steele Knights in the Area playoff round April 4 advanced the boys soccer team to the Regional Quarterfinals.
“We needed this,” Miller said. “They put up a really good fight; they’re a great team.”
A scoreless match featuring many boos, chants, yellow cards, and close goal attempts kept fans on edge for the whole game. Steele’s goalie had already received one yellow card prior to the penalty kick, and would receive another resulting in his ejection. Shortly after, the head coach for Steele received a red card because of a verbal bout with the ref; he made sure to take his time leaving the field. Then, Parker Miller made the penalty kick against a backup goalie to put the team in the lead. They would sustain this lead and win the game.
Photo by Jacob Dukes
“They’re one of the better teams we’ve seen this year. They move the ball well, they play defense amazing, and, in soccer, sometimes you get unlucky,” Coach Damion Simmons said. “We’re going to go [into the next game] and play strong and play hard, just like any other night.”
Photo by Jacob Dukes
Photo by Jacob Dukes
Photo by Jacob Dukes
Photo by Jacob Dukes
The boys will play Clark Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at Comalander Stadium.
