Reprinted Coutesy of:
Rushville Republican
Aaron Kirchoff
For the first time in program history, the
Lions held the soccer sectional championship trophy above their heads.
Rushville avenged an earlier season loss to the Shelbyville Golden
Bears by taking the sectional title game 2-1 Saturday.
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The Lions advance to the regional, which
they will host, and face another Hoosier Heritage Conference foe in the
New Palestine Dragons at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Roncalli and New Castle will
open the regional at 5 p.m. The championship is set for Saturday.
The Golden Bears defeated the Lions 3-1
during the season at Shelbyville, but right from the start, Saturday’s
title match-up had a different feel. The Lions put constant offensive
pressure on the Bears.
The Lions had two shots at goal in the first six minutes.
At the 31:20 mark of the first half, Austin
Seals fired a shot that hit off the cross bar. Adam Wagner had the
follow shot, but Shelbyville’s Michael Parks made the save.
About six minutes later, Shelbyville’s Josh Crafton hit a chip shot and Rushville keeper C.J. West made the save.
With 14 minutes to play in the first half,
Eric Wagner’s direct kick was again saved by Parks. Six minutes later,
a Rushville corner kick found Dan Schilling and his shot slipped just
past the far post.
Both teams had opportunities, but the game was scoreless at the half.
Just over one minute into the second half,
the ball was loose in front of the Golden Bears’ goal. Schilling got a
shot off, but Parks made the diving stop and then grabbed the ball
while on the ground.
With 33:35 to play in the game, the ball
was crossed and Seals knocked the ball past a diving Parks to put the
Lions on the board first 1-0.
Both teams again had chances to score, but
could not find the net. That was until the 18:45 mark. Scott McMahan
ran down a through ball, collected it and then blasted the ball into
the net for a 2-0 Rushville lead.
Rushville held the two goal lead until a penalty kick at the 6:44 mark by Austin Nedderman cut the lead to 2-1.
The final six minutes were played at a
frantic pace as the Golden Bears tried everything to get the game
evening goal, but the Lions’ defense did not allow it and the Lions
rushed the field for the first time as sectional champs.
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