Cody Kirchhoff scores on PK in final two minutes, keeper JT Baker notches 18 saves
By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / April 26, 2013
ATLANTIC – For the better part of 60 minutes of game clock
Friday night, Harlan had Atlantic back on its heels.
The Cyclones had put 11 shots on target to Atlantic’s three
in the first half, and their kick-and-chase strategy generated multiple scoring
opportunities that left the Trojans’ defense ill at ease.
But midway through the second half, the Trojans flipped a
switch and spent most of the remaining 20 minutes on the attack. Their reward…a
1-0 victory over rival Harlan that serves as the biggest win yet this season,
and one of the most important victories in recent history of the program.
“We told them at halftime, unleash it and get the job done,”
Atlantic coach Justin Williams said afterwards. “We became the aggressor in the
final 20 minutes.”
A tight and nervous approach from Atlantic lifted in the
second half, and crisper passing continually brought the ball to Harlan’s side
of the pitch as the Trojans began to work effectively as a unit.
As Atlantic’s scoring opportunities began to grow and
Harlan’s chances ebbed, it set up a frantic final five minutes where neither
side seemed willing to back down an inch.
“As the game went on, our guys started to loosen up and we started
to believe that we could beat these guys,” coach Williams says. “Defensively,
it was a fine job by all four of our guys.”
With 1:16 remaining, Atlantic was on the attack inside the
box when a Harlan defender needlessly fouled on a play where the ball and the
scoring chance was nearly already in the keeper’s hands.
No matter, thought the officiating crew, as they deemed the
contact too flagrant to ignore.
A moment later, Trojans’ senior Cody Kirchhoff lined up for
a penalty kick with the game on the line, and he did not disappoint the
Trojans’ faithful.
Harlan goalkeeper Josh Brelje guessed left and leapt that
direction, as Kirchhoff struck a well-placed ball to Brelje’s right and into
the back of the net for the game’s only score.
A minute and 16 seconds later, it would hold up for a
Trojans’ victory.
Harlan would outshoot Atlantic 18-8 on the night, and
Trojans’ coach Williams heaped praise on senior goalkeeper JT Baker for his
effort in net as Baker recorded a career-high 18 saves in the victory.
Especially in the first half, Baker kept Atlantic in the
game.
“That was the best our goalkeeper JT Baker has ever played
in his life,” coach Williams says. “He gave us a chance.”
The victory reverses course on a series of narrow losses the
Trojans have suffered at the hands of Harlan.
Last year, Atlantic faced the Cyclones twice, falling by one
goal both times in a 2-1 loss in April and a 1-0 loss in May.
Friday night’s victory could serve as a watershed for a team
looking to break new ground this spring.
“These boys deserve this, they’ve gone through four years of
hell with me,” coach Williams says. “I work them hard, and my rules are strict.
For these young men to develop as they are, it’s a proud moment for me as a
coach. Win, lose or draw, these guys are starting to bring an element of
respect to Atlantic Soccer.”
#iowaprep #atlantictrojans #soccer
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