Playoffs are the “second season” and Ireton’s men’s soccer team came out under first year Coach Jon Norem on a mission. The Cardinals grabbed a 1-0 lead on a goal by Cameron Wallace from Daniel Valdez. O’Connell countered with the first of two Will Tidwell goals, Dan O’Keefe’s pass to Evan Guidry put Ireton back on top before Tidwell tied it at 2-2.
As the second half progressed, the Cardinals became the hunter in the contest, evidenced by the 4-2 advantage in corner kicks in the second session. The redbirds had a number of opportunities but great saves and shots missed denied the Alexandrians. Ireton pressed the action and O’Keefe, Guidry, Valdez, Galdos controlled the play with a spring in their step and deft ball handling to work on the O’Connell side of the field for long periods of time, but they could not convert the advantage.
As the game moved quickly through the 2 5-minute overtime sessions with neither team getting much of an opportunity to end the game, the looming penalty kick finale set in. With Ireton kicking first they quickly scored the first three goals, only to be matched by the Knights. When Cameron Wallace’s shot sailed high over the crossbar the Knights had their opportunity. Senior Arthur Deegan, playing his final game for Ireton stepped into those long odds and pulled the “rabbit out of his hat” with a great save on hard, low shot headed the the shooter’s left corner and sending the Ireton team to the next round.
Overtime penalty kicks become a sudden death affair round by round and when CJ Hancock was stopped on his drive hard and dead on the goal, the luck had run out for the cardinal and red when O”Connell scored in the afternoon’s last light.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team. They fought, everyone one of them, every minute of the game.” said a disappointed Norem. “But we will build on this, come back next year with the knowldege of what it takes to be successful. I wish our seniors could be with us, but they have new challenges ahead and if they “play” every day like they did today, they will have much success.” Ireton ends the year 5-14-2 but will lose only six seniors from the club.
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