Eisenhower rallies for shootout win over Athens
END OF THE ROAD: Troy Athens senior Olivia Brannon and the Red Hawks were eliminated by unbeaten Utica Eisenhower, 3-2, Tuesday inb a Division 1 regional semifinal. File Photo.
(Editor’s note: Jay Stephens is part of the www.northoaklandsports.com Student Correspondence Program, open to all future journalism students at the high school or collegiate level. Interested, contact Senior Editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or Sales/Marketing Manager Dennis VanWingerden at dennis@northoaklandsports.com)
JAY STEPHENS
STUDENT CORRESPONDENT
TROY — Soccer games, like most other sports, are games of momentum.
Troy Athens had the momentum on multiple occasions Tuesday night in its Division 1 regional semifinal against Utica Eisenhower in a contest that featured two of the top teams in the state in the coaches association polls.
The Red Hawks held a lead late in regulation and again a late lead in overtime, but eventually succumbed to the Eagles, 3-2, in a game that reached double overtime and a shootout.
Unbeaten Eisenhower kept is state championship dream alive and held a 4-3 edge on PKs for the tie-breaking goal.
The loss ended the career of Tim Storch, Athens’ coach since 1981 who is retiring from teaching and coaching at the end of the month.
In the shootout, both teams misfired on their first attempts, while Eisenhower made its final four and Athens missing its fifth to give the Eagles the edge. Danielle Purgar finished with eight saves in the game and got a hand on Athens’ No. 5 shooter’s attempt.
“This is just her first year of playing goalie, and I thought she did fantastic,” said Eisenhower coach Mehrdad Nekoogar.
Eisenhower advances Friday night to take on No.1-rated Novi, the defending state champions.
Athens (19-3-0), the OAA Red Division champions, took a lead late in the first half when Miss Soccer candidate Olivia Brannon headed home a cross from Gabby Mancini.
Eisenhower trailed until there was 1:10 left in regulation. Aubrey Sudomier scored an unassisted goal inside the penalty area to send the game into overtime.
The overtime procedure is for two full 10-minute periods.
“We were a minute away from winning,” said Storch. “They had that long through ball and maybe fatigue on our part cost us on the play, but you have to give Eisenhower credit for that.
“That’s the mark of a very good team,” added Storch. “We had them by a goal twice and they were able to come back on us.”
Athens took a lead in the seventh minute of overtime when Brannon scored her second goal of the game, only to see Eisenhower tie it one final time when Sophie Maccagnon booted in a free kick from 25 yards in front of the net.
“I’m proud of my team,” said Nekoogar.”We were able to come back on a team when we were down, even with a minute (left in regulation).”
(Jay Stephens is part of the Stickradt Media Group’s / www.northoaklandsports.com Student Correspondence program.)
Category: High School, Prep Wraps, Troy Athens
