RAVENS OUTLAST HAWKS TO STAY PERFECT
Two evenly matched teams played to a draw in regulation and two ten minute overtime periods, then settled the match with “kicks from the spot,” where the Ravens prevailed, winning on pks 6-5 for an official 2-1 score.
Central Lee scored first on a looping direct kick which found the space between the goalies hands and the crossbar to drop into the back of the goal 12 minutes into the first half. The Ravens defense anchored by Grant Bender, along with Mason Bender, Mason Helmuth, Bryce Bailey and Isaac Lybeck did an excellent job shutting down most of Centrals Lee’s chances, but going into the wind, the offense struggled to create many chances and Central Lee went into the half with a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, the Ravens created more shots as the defense continued to limit Central Lee’s opportunities. Towards the halfway point of the first half, Rowan Miller took the ball down the left side, beat a defender, then slotted a ball into the middle where Owen Scott turned and stuck his shot by the goalie to even the game at 1-1.
From here, both teams made adjustments and moved personnel around to try to find some advantage. The midfield of Seth Ours, Jesse Blossom, and Micah Gerber along with Rowan Miller, Lincoln Miller and Isaac Birky helped control the flow of the game as the match wore on. Forwards Owen Scott and Miller, along with Charlie McAndrew and Phoenix Anderson provided good minutes up top as the Ravens tried to find a go ahead goal, but it was not to be. Meanwhile, goalie Kyle Neuschwander made several key saves to keep the score tied, ending the night with six saves.
It was much the same in overtime as both teams created chances, but with both defenses playing well it was difficult to score. With the end of regulation, the two teams moved to the “penalty kick” phase of the match. Grant Bender, Micah Gerber, Jesse Blossom and Seth Ours made their kicks, while Rowan saw his shot saved by an excellent play by the Central Lee goalie. The fifth kicker for Central Lee, kicked, hoped to hit the winning goal, but instead hit the ball wide of the goal post. Hillcrest’s sixth kicker, Owen Scott made his shot and was matched by Central Lee. Hillcrest’s seventh kicker, Lincoln Miller put his shot under the goalies diving arms. Central Lee’s seventh kicker stepped forward to tie the score and prolong the game, but instead kicked the ball over the crossbar, meaning Hillcrest won the match with the official score of 2-1 (6-5 pks)
Hillcrest moves to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Hillcrest travels to Columbus for a match scheduled to start at 6:00 pm on Thursday, followed by a home match Friday against Danville.
Below article submitted by Zach Unlin/KCII
Regulation, two overtime periods, even five penalty kicks weren’t enough to decide the match Tuesday in Kalona between the home Hillcrest Ravens and Central Lee Hawks, but when the dust finally cleared, more than two and a half hours after action started, it was the Ravens that walked away with the hard fought 2-1 victory. Central Lee found the back of the net in the first half to jump on top 1-0. Things stayed that way until the 56th minute when Raven striker Owen Scott beat the Hawk’s defense to tie the game at one. He spoke after the match with KCII Sports about the goal. “I think it bounced off the goalie then I kneed it in, I was just trying to be positive, telling myself I was going to make it. Just have that mentality.”
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