PENALTY KICKS PROPEL LAKEVIEW TO REGIONALS

NILES OH- It was an instant classic between two quality teams on Thursday night in Niles. Waterloo came in undefeated looking to stay on a long awaited tournament run, and Lakeview looked to keep this incredible turnaround season going. As it turns outs 2 overtimes weren’t even enough to decide the winner. Still tied 2-2 after 2 extra periods the teams went into penalty kicks. Lakeview won the penalty kick round 6-4 to seal the district championship.

Kaira English struck first for Waterloo at the 29:03 mark. She got loose on a ball that squirted free out of Lakeview’s defense.  Lakeview responded before halftime as Anastasia Hall netted a goal off a corner kick.  Hall would strike again later in the first half Eliza Farr got the assist.  That was score at half time with the shots on goal even at 5-5.  English knotted the game back up pretty quick out of halftime off a Sydney Jackson corner kick.  Both teams showed off their defense the rest of the way until regulation ended.

In the first overtime, Waterloo goalie Sophia Wood made a great save that could have saved the game for the Vikings.  English made a good attempt on goal from an awkward position, but it sailed just wide.  In the second overtime, both defenses locked down not giving up any real scoring threats. The game would have to go to the most exciting part of tournament soccer, penalty kicks.  Lakeview made all 6 while their goalie Ava Hipple made an impressive diving save to her left to seal the deal.

Lakeview advances to the Division III Regional Semifinal against a familiar opponent.  They’ll meet up with Poland