FORTVILLE — In a heartbreaking 2-1, double-overtime loss to the Greenfield-Central Cougars, the Pendleton Heights Arabians just missed the chance to advance to the 2009 IHSAA girls soccer sectional finals. But they sure put up a good fight.
“This was a grudge match,” said PH head coach Brian Sampson. “It was all about who wanted it more.”
The cold, biting wind and muddy terrain didn’t help either.
“These conditions tonight really affected our style of play,” Sampson said. “We play a very controlled game and it was very hard to do that here.”
In the opening five minutes of the first half, Taylor Titus whizzed a sharp shot past Pendleton netminder Kinzie Davis to take the 1-0 lead. This quick goal gave the Cougars a big advantage.
The Arabians kept pace with Greenfield, despite the fact that the Cougars seemed to anticipate their every movement. Davis made a leaping save at 26:55 and helped keep the deficit to just one.
“We are a young team,” Sampson said, based on the fact that they only have two seniors. “This has been a learning year. We’ve had a tough schedule and have played a lot of ranked teams and we’ve kept up with them.”
Erica Manchess had a beautiful shot on Cougars goalkeeper Rhiannon Teeter at 13:45, but it just nicked the corner. From the sidelines, Sampson encouraged the girls to keep shooting.
And that is exactly what they did.
The Arabians steadily became a more present danger in the Cougars zone. Manchess had another shot on net at 6:15, but it was once again recovered by Teeter. Just two minutes later, Pendleton finally got its break.
Taylor Maxwell artfully booted a shot to the top of the Cougars goalpost and Kaitlin Wiles, who was waiting for the rebound, kicked the ball into the net before Teeter knew what hit her. The score was 1-1 at the break and the Arabians were back in the game.
The second stanza opened on a much dirtier field, but the momentum had shifted in the Arabians’ favor.
“I told them to go out there and play harder,” Sampson said. “And they didn’t give up.”
Davis continued to impress after she made two saves at 26:07 to keep the score deadlocked at 1-1. Pndleton had several golden scoring opportunities, but they were successfully stopped by the Cougars defense.
Although both squads fervently fought for the winning goal, the battle progressed into overtime. Both teams were tired and freezing, but the cat-and-mouse game didn’t cease. Pendleton consistently maneuvered the ball into scoring position, but it just wasn’t in the cards.
The score remained at a standstill after the first-seven minute overtime and the teams now faced another grueling overtime to decide the victor.
At 4:39, Lauren Brand sprinted into a breakaway and kicked a shot to the lower left post. This perfect precision ricocheted off the corner and into Davis’ net. The Cougars now boasted a 2-1 lead, but the Arabians wouldn’t go down easy. Pendleton peppered Teeter consistently as the last few seconds shivered off the clock, but Greenfield was able to hang on and capture the win.
“On games like these, the bounces sometimes just don’t go your way,” Sampson said. “They definitely did not tonight, but I’m really proud of these girls.”
Davis had an impressive 10 saves on the night and was the main reason the Arabians were able to stay in the game.
Local Sports
Pendleton loses 2-1 in overtime
Arabians fall to Greenfield in sectional finals
- Local Sports
-
-
Wrestlers have eyes on prize
For Alexandria’s Luke Blanton, Pendleton Heights’ Clint Nicholson and Shenandoah’s Jacob Lumpkin, qualifying for the 2012 IHSAA State Individual Wrestling finals brings a bevy of emotions
-
Indians put stop to slide
In the end, it took eight seconds of insane defense to end the Anderson boys basketball team’s eight-game losing streak.
In a game twice postponed by weather, the Indians held off a last-ditch rally at Huntington North for a 59-58 North Central Conference victory on Wednesday. -
Rick Teverbaugh: Familiar face leads Wildcats
For me, there will be much excitement and anticipation as part of the girls basketball regional Saturday at Decatur Central.
-
AU men lose, but still clinch spot in HCAC tourney
The Anderson University men’s basketball team lost to Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Manchester College 81-71 on Wednesday night at Stauffer-Wolfe Arena in North Manchester.
-
Royals edge out Tigers
If Alexandria’s non-conference matchup with Eastern Hancock was relatively meaningless, someone forgot to tell just about everyone involved.
The two teams turned a sleepy weeknight crowd electric Tuesday night with a wild, high-flying affair that ended with a 92-91 Royals victory, new individual scoring records for both schools and a home crowd that remained standing in proud applause long after the final buzzer. -
Power outage grounds Arabians
An accident on Indiana 13 at Indiana 38 knocked power out throughout the southern part of Madison County on Tuesday and caused the postponement of Pendleton Heights’ boys basketball game against New Castle.
-
Tigers lose to Royals 92-91
Photos from Alexandria as the Tigers hosted the Eastern Hancock Royals on Tuesday.
-
Arabians still on rise
The Pendleton Heights boys basketball team is riding an 11-game winning streak and rose to No. 4 in the Class 4A state rankings Monday.
But, with the sectional set to begin exactly two weeks from today, coach Brian Hahn isn’t about to let the Arabians (18-2) get too comfortable. -
Wiles’ heart leads her to Hoosiers
Meghan Wiles took some time to explore her options, but she always kind of knew where she would end up.
She’s an IU girl.
Wiles, a Pendleton Heights senior, signed to play soccer at Indiana University on Feb. 1, the NCAA’s National Signing Day. Her parents, Tom and Mandy, both attended IU. -
Quintin Harlan: Wrestlers prep for state finals
Taking part in the Parade of Champions during the opening ceremonies of the IHSAA State Wrestling Finals is a thrill that stays with competitors and coaches for as long as they’ll remember.
For some, taking part in the ceremonial start for the state finals is the best memory. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
