Bulldogs Edge Shoes In OT In Soccer Regional

Effingham St. Anthony and Teutopolis squared off in the Class 1A Teutopolis Soccer Regional Tuesday and it was a typical match between these two schools.

St. Anthony started the game very aggressive, coming out on all cylinders pressuring the Wooden Shoes almost the entire first half. St. Anthony got a goal from James Kabbes on a corner kick from Donovan Hammer almost 15 minutes into the game. Then later, with only two minutes left in the half, Ryan Kruger was fouled in the box, giving him a penalty kick which he connected on, putting the Bulldogs up 2-0 at half.

In the second half, T-town turned it up and did a complete 360 and turned it on the Bulldogs, pressuring them over and over. Finally with 33:45 left in the second half, T-town's Andy Mersman put in an unassisted goal to put the Shoes on the scoreboard. Then with 9:54 remaining, Caleb Ordner knocked in a goal with an assist from Mersman to tie the score at 2-2.

Both teams played back and forth trying to get another goal in before the end of time. The game ended in a tie putting the game into overtime. The two teams went into their first 10 minute overtime with St. Anthony peppering the goalie through the whole half. In the second half it was much of the same until one minute remained and Chandler Martelli flicked a loose ball out of the air over to Ryan Kruger. Kruger dribbled the ball all the way to the goal and put it in with only five seconds left for a 3-2 victory.

"Where do I start," said St. Anthony Coach Eric Morales. "I can honestly say that I am glad I am able to type my story out instead of via word of mouth. The game was so crazy, that I have managed to make myself somewhat hoarse.

"It was a lovely evening for the first game of the soccer regionals. I knew coming into the game, this would be a tough game to the finish, and it was.

"I was very happy with the outcome. T-town came to play tonight, and we weren't ready in the second half. In overtime I asked the guys if they were ready for the rest of the game, and we were definitely ready. Thanks to all the support we had tonight. It was a great game, and probably one of the best games Ive seen all year."

The Bulldogs improve to 19-2-1 and will face Altamont Friday at 7 p.m. in the championship match.

Altamont blanked Pana 2-0 in the second match of the evening. Neither team scored in the first half. In the second half, with 36:26 remaining, Jacob Crow scored for the Indians.

The second goal came from Jesus Flores with an assist from Christian Freezeland, ending the score at 2-0 with 10:00.

"We came out at the start of the match doing what we wanted," said Coach Jeff Walton. "We were passing the ball and controlling the tempo. From the start we did as planned. Towards the middle of the half, Pana took over and gained some confidence by playing fast. Getting them some looks at goal off fastbreak attempts. With about three minutes left in the first half, we gained our composure and started passing well again. That was one big adjustment at halftime. We needed to look to get our attack down the flanks.

"I have to commend Pana's sweeper as he is good. Any attack we tried down the middle he stopped. Also we had to stop their fastbreak style of offense. I cannot say enough about our back four and then Sam in goal. Joey Caravello, Lennart Leschinger, Hunter Barns and Wyatt Stone handled their style of play.

"Yes, they outshot us for the night, but I think they were getting frustrated and shot any ball they could if it was a good shot or not. We grinded them keeping the play in the middle of the field until a goal scoring opportunity presented itself. Jacob Crow's upper ninety goal was great. Then Christian finding Jesus to put us up by two added to it."

Altamont had 19 shots, eight on goal. Sam Childerson had seven saves. Pana had 26 shots, seven on goal and six saves.

The Indians advance to the championship game Friday with a 9-8 1 record and will face St. Anthony at 7 p.m.

At Mount Zion

Effingham fell to the homestanding Braves 2-1 in action at Mount Zion Tuesday.

The Braves scored first as Andy Hinch hit goal with 22:45 left in the half. But the Hearts came back to knot the score on a 35 yard free kick by Andrew Bingham with 3:39 left in the half.

Going into the second half, Mount Zion's John Silva scored what would prove to be the winning goal with 19:59 left.

Effingham's Jared Minor had 14 saves while Mount Zion's Malik Liming had six.

The Hearts are 5-9-5 and finished the Apollo Conference season at 2-5-3. The Hearts open regional play Friday at its own Class 2A Regional and will take on Olney at 4 p.m.