Have you ever wanted to see an intense into-the-last-minute soccer game go into penalties and have your team come out on top? Well, if you didn’t go to the game on Tuesday, you missed exactly that. The Whitney Young varsity Boy’s Soccer team beat Lincoln Way East 2-2 (2-1 in penalties) at their home field, Rockne Stadium, in the quarterfinals of the Pepsico Showdown. The game was intense and emotion-filled throughout, as the highest goal difference at any point was only one.

The Dolphins scored first, off of a set play from a corner kick where Jake Gerenraich ’19 scored a beautiful bottom left finish from the right side top of the box. The home team then caught an unlucky break where Esme McCarthy ‘20 accidentally directed the ball into his own net, leveling the game at 1-1 (may I add it was a beautiful own goal). After much back and forth play, Young got their chance to take the game away when LW East’s goalie terribly misplayed a pass made by Elias Guzman ’20 in the air. Josue Espinoza ‘18 was able to track it down after it got past the goaltender and muscle out a few defenders to guide the ball into the net. Young held this position for a while, still battling back and forth trying to hold out for the win. Unfortunately for them, LW East was able to equalize once again after a few dribbles and a hard struck shot beat Dixon O’Banion ‘18 on the near post. At this point, the game was 2-2 and very intense with continuous pressure from both teams. However, Young’s tough defense was able to hold off all attempts LW East had to offer (and vice versa), including a clutch save by O’Banion in the closing minutes. Eventually, the regulation whistle blew for full time, and it was onto penalties.

The first penalties from each team were stopped by the opposing team’s goaltenders, starting off 0-0. LW East’s keeper then stopped Young’s second shooter, and the Dolphin’s caught a nice break when the guest’s player hit the left post to keep the score at 0-0. Young again missed another shootout opportunity, while the Griffins were able to make the first score in the shootout, putting them up 1-0. Things were looking slightly down for the home team until Aidan Chapman ’20 slotted home a great finish and O’Banion was able to come up with another save to put the teams at 1-1. Believe it or not, both keepers each made another save to keep the score at a stalemate. Into the sixth round of shooters now, Alex Espino ‘20 confidently walked up to the penalty spot and powered one home to bring the Dolphins up one. Now, it was all up to keeper Dixon O’Banion to end the game as a win for Whitney Young. The whistle blew, signaling for the shooter to go. He ran up with the intention to score and chose to go left… but so did Dixon, and he saved it!

Finally, after all of that intensity and suspense, the Dolphins were able to bring home the W. The whole team ran out to go celebrate with the man of the match, keeper Dixon O’Banion, who made up for quite a few missed penalty shots by his teammates. Although they did come up with the win, the team was not completely satisfied. One of the players on the field that day, Josue Espinoza ‘18, said, “I felt like we could have played better, that was not our game.”

Despite the hard fight Young may have wanted to avoid, they were able to come up with the win that night, and move onto the next round in this tournament. Find the Dolphin’s schedule and other information here: http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/whitney-young-dolphins-(chicago,il)/soccer/home.htm 

Game winning goal by Alex Espino. Picture courtesy of Rob Catania