Best team in HH history ousted on PKs – The Herald

Photo by Hunter Tickel/The HeraldHeritage Hills junior defender Charlie Brentlinger (22) clears the ball during miscommunication with junior keeper Aiden Harris (1), the two collided on the sequence. The Patriots lost to Brebeuf 2-1 after a 7-6 penalty shootout on Saturday at Evansville Central in Class 2A semi-state.

By HUNTER TICKELhtickel@dcherald.com

EVANSVILLE As the match carried deeper into a deadlock on Saturday, Heritage Hills' chances of progressing to an inaugural state championship came to the forefront.

The match extended to three rounds of a sudden death shootout. However, the deepest postseason run in school history came to a close with a 7-6 loss on spot kicks in Class 2A semi-state boys soccer.

We came into the game feeling like we had a chance, Heritage Hills coach Joe Asbury said. We were confident. Even on the goal that they scored, we knew that was a possibility because of the field. We were trying to not give up corner kicks. But it happens.

Brebeuf Jesuit created the bulk of scoring chances and held possession for a longer period on Saturday at Evansville Central.

The No. 7 Patriots (19-2) surrendered just one goal and combinations created goal-scoring opportunities on the counterattack.

Making their first appearance in the state final four, the Pats got the ultimate goal against the run of play, with five minutes left in the opening half.

Junior keeper Aiden Harris launched a punt to junior target forward Geo Arias. He not only won the 50-50 ball, but his adept first touch put him in position to advance towards the goal.

He knocked the ball to the right with the outside of his boot to senior Ethan Hill, who cut inside to get around the lone defender and bury the breakaway equalizer.

Geos had a good year, Asbury said. (Today) he did a nice job, too. He did a really good job of winning balls and holding a little bit. We ask a lot out of (seniors) Jose (Lara) and Gabe (Staggs). Those guys put some miles in today. Youre not going to get many offensive opportunities if you dont have someone that can hold the ball.

It was Hills eighth goal of the season, and Arias third assist.

The moment of aplomb ignited a renewed push from the Patriots, who won 14 in a row coming into the match.

In the second half, the Pats were most threatening with Lara running toward goal or Arias with his back to the net.

I feel like we could have played better, Lara said. We were trying to force up the ball, but at the end of the day, what can we do?

The first half was another story.

The flow after the opening 20 minutes tilted to the Braves favor.

In the 22nd minute, a corner kick floated to the middle of the box that sophomore midfielder Mateo Soria redirected to the six-yard box with an outstretched touch. Sophomore midfielder Julian Bell got on the end of it to score.

Nine minutes later, senior defender Jake Rosenberg served a cross from 50 yards on the right to the other side that sophomore forward Ben Haneline volleyed wide right of the lower corner.

In the 61st minute, the Braves were gifted a golden chance. An inswinging cross into the 18-yard box was punched by Harris directly to Haneline, his wide-open nod glanced off the crossbar with the net empty.

In the final minute of regulation, the Braves sprung one of their best attacks of the match as Bell chipped a pass to the left, a teammate one-timed it to a teammate in the middle before Pats junior defender Jesus Lara snuffed out the chance with a block.

Its really heartbreaking, Arias said. I feel like we could have done better. All (weve) got to do now is keep our (heads) up and be better next year.

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Best team in HH history ousted on PKs - The Herald