GEORGETOWN, Texas - Following the success of the Vikings men's soccer team from their efforts against Oglethorpe, They were faced with their greatest challenge yet. The Trinity Tigers, who were the 1st seed coming into the SAA Championship and ranked 5th in the nation and were looking to prove why they were the 1st seed. The Vikings would go on to shock the Tigers winning in penalties to advance to the SAA final.
The Vikings, well aware of the challenge ahead of them, left everything they had on the field and were presented with a penalty in minute 19 in virtue of a handball by the Tigers in their own box.
Sophomore,
Jack Raulston, with everything on the line stepped up to take the penalty, and slotted it past the keeper to make it 1-0 to the Vikings. This marked his 12th goal of the season and 2nd goal in the last 2 matches, both being Championship appearances.
The Vikings closed out the half with some exceptional defending shown by sophomore
Jaxon Champ, and senior captain,
Andy Guzman to keep the Vikings goal advantage alive going into the second half at 1-0.Â
The second half commenced and with high energy from both teams being hungry looking to advance on to the final. The Tigers kept on pushing the envelope with their dangerous offense, but the well conducted defense of the Vikings showed no signs of letting them get the chance to even the score.
However, a defensive mistake by the Vikings, led to a penalty kick in favor of the Tigers in minute 69. Samuel Theiss then stepped up to the plate and disposed of the deficit brought onto the Tigers in the first half with the game now 1-1.
Through intense and chippy encounters to close out regular time, the 90 minutes in regular time concluded in a stalemate, which meant two periods of overtime with the implementation of golden goal.Â
Through both periods of overtime neither side was able to strike the final blow, causing the match to be decided by the ultimate source of suspense, a penalty shootout.
Jack Raulston, first in the lineup for the Vikings, slammed the roof of the top left corner of the net, to set the tone for the shootout.
Junior
Cooper Cherry, saw through the eyes of SAA Offensive Player of the Year, Adam Knutson, almost as if he knew where he was going to place the ball, and saved it leaving the Vikings at a crucial advantage for the remainder of the shootout.
Alex Guzman,
Charlie Stokes,
Andy Guzman, and
Max Albertson in said order all converted their penalties to end Trinity's season and to advance on to the final of the SAA Championship on Sunday.
The Vikings once again play in Georgetown, Texas at 1:00 PM EST against the host and number two seed Southwestern. Let's go Vikes!!
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