Brokaw Delivers Golden Goal as Hillcrest Tops Sailors

Hillcrest 2, Columbus Catholic Sailors 1 OT 

In the first round of substrate play, the Ravens fell behind early in the second half, then rallied to score late in the first half on a goal off the head of Charlie Hughes from an assist by Kale Bailey to tie the game. Going into the wind during the first overtime didn’t bother the Ravens as they created several chances before Isaac Birky put a ball in front of the net where Angel Sambrano and Jaxson Brokaw both rushed to the ball. During the scrum Brokaw was able to poke the ball into the goal for the golden goal victory with three minutes left in the first overtime. 

The Ravens dominated much of the possession during the match but had difficulty creating strong shots. The backline of Lincoln Miller, Simon Willems, Beckett Slaubaugh and Rhys Bender along with Landon Allen shut down most of the Columbus attacks in the first half, limiting the number of shots and helping maintain possession. Midfielders Kale Bailey, Danny Meyers, Isaac Beachy along with Abe Widmer and Mateo Rodriguez Yoder,  helped stifle the Columbus offense while helping to create some offensive pressure. Up top, Isaac Birky, Jaxson Brokaw, Angel Sambrano along with Rowan Miller and Charlie Hughes helped keep the pressure on Columbus but scratching out goals proved to be difficult. 

The Columbus Sailors were the first to score, eight minutes into the second half on a long shot from about 30 yards out after a defender slipped and fell. The Ravens tried different personnel and as time was winding down, moved a defender forward to the midfield. The moves seemed to help create some better chances while also improving possession. On a deep throw-in Bailey found Charlie Hughes who headed the ball into the corner past the diving goalie to tie the match and send it to overtime where Birky and Brokaw combined to end the match.

Garrett Bontrager recorded 3 saves in goal. 

The Ravens move to 8-7 overall and next play West Central Valley, Wednesday, May 27 in Stuart, Iowa.