Kings Goal Club

Wednesday, October 19, 2011–On a cold and rainy night, the host Kings Knights came back in overtime to win the first game of their sectional tournament against Colerain, 2-1.

In the end, it seemed like a battle between “Team Kings” and Kevin Walker, the all-city player for Colerain. Walker, the explosive Cardinal player, was held in check most of the evening by the Kings backline.  Alex Kowal, playing from his outside defender position, drew Walker’s number and did a fabulous job of shutting the midfielder down.

In the first half Kings put pressure on the Cardinals defensive unit with numerous quality opportunities at the goal.  Garrett Householder, Max Burkert and Landon Kirby each had shots that just went wide right of the far post.  Kings was possessing the ball well and looking for opportunities to attack the goal.  In the meantime, Cardinal runs were being shut down and the first half ended in a scoreless tie.

Into the second half and at the 44 minute mark into the match, Landon Kirby penetrated deeply into the Cardinals’ backline.  A corner kick was awarded to the Knights and Leo Mesones delivered a perfect ball to center back Brandon Coughlin.  Coughlin delivered the first goal of the night putting Kings up, 1-0.

The rest of the match was back and forth until the 74 minute mark when the Cardinals found Walker alone and unmarked at a midfield position.  His laser strike slipped through the gloves of keeper Danny Merz and the match was knotted at 1-1.

In the final 6 minutes Kings had numerous chances at winning the match.  Playing great team soccer, the Knights pounded the goal and even winning consecutive corner kicks late in the match.  As their momentum was building, nothing seemed to fall for the Knights and regulation play after 80 minutes ended with the score 1-1.

Kings wasted little time in OT showing the Cardinals who came to play and finish the match.  Luke McLelland found Matt Hovis on a throw-in deep in Colerain territory and Hovis worked through a few defenders to find an open and unmarked Leo Mesones whose left foot found the back of the net.  Game over and match to the Knights with the final 2-1.  Kings wins their first tournament game in four years.  Congratulations coaches and boys!

The next match is Saturday, October 22 against the winner of Mason and Western Brown.

Starters:

F: Mesones, Kirby

MF: McLelland, Householder, Hovis, Burkert

D: Fadayel, Kettler, Coughlin, Kowal

GK: Merz