By BRAD BAUGHMAN, for The Democrat
After 80 minutes of a physical, hard-fought, scoreless soccer game at Eagle Park on Sept. 24, the Edgewood Mustangs and the Brown County Eagles were certain of three things: 1) both teams were exhausted after giving their all 2) both goalies had played brilliantly, and 3) penalty kicks would decide the outcome.
In a tense, 10-minute span that barely beat the setting sun, the Eagles converted four of their five penalty kick opportunities, while the Mustangs were successful on only three.
When the final Mustang penalty kick floated high over the goal, the home team danced around the pitch, celebrating a thrilling and well deserved senior-night win.
That post-game victory dance seemed very much in doubt as the Mustangs dominated the first 20 minutes of the contest, controlling the middle of the field and putting pressure on the Eagle defense.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]“Coming out, we looked a little bit nervous. I was hoping to come out with a lot of energy. We seemed just a little bit timid from the start,” said second-year coach Craig Norris.
The last 20 minutes of the first half, the Eagles overcame their jitters and settled in.
Norris attributed some of the turnaround to the play and leadership of senior Ricky Stanley who could be heard encouraging his teammates. Stanley and fellow senior Cameron Payne each had contested runs that ended with shots on goal, but both were turned back by the Edgewood goalkeeper, Cayden Howard.
“We finished the half pretty strong,” said Norris, noting that the Eagles had been more aggressive and had won more 50/50 balls in the middle of the field.
In the second half, each team had scoring opportunities that were thwarted by the opposing goalies. Brown County goalkeeper Wyatt Fox had an outstanding save on a free kick by the Mustangs’ Clint Shockney at the 22:00 mark. Less than two minutes later, Stanley got free for a shot, but it was turned away by Howard.
Neither team really had a sniff of a goal the remainder of the half, and the contest ended in a scoreless tie. “Our defense really played well,” Norris said.
For the penalty kick phase, the Eagles sent four seniors and a freshman to the spot. Stanley was first in line and punched one in. Andre Adkins answered for the Mustangs.
Brown County senior Logan Huddleston took the second kick for the Eagles but misfired. Edgewood’s Owen Graham cranked one in, and the Mustangs took a 2-1 advantage. It was short-lived, however, as the next three Eagles, freshman Aaron Woodrum, senior Ty Wesley and Payne all converted successfully.
Fox made an outstanding save on an attempt by Shockney, the third Mustang to kick, but was unable to get a hand on Zackary Raake’s shot, and Brown County had a 4-3 edge with one Mustang, Aiden Goerges, left to kick.
“It went down to the last PK (penalty kick). Their last player had to make his PK,” Norris said. Goerges’ attempt sailed over the top of the goal, and the outcome had finally been decided.
Norris felt confident about his players and the penalty kick experience because the team had rehearsed the situation many times in practice. “We have worked on PKs 10 to 15 times at the end of practice,” he said. “They know what it’s like to be in that situation with a lot of pressure.”
Norris was ecstatic about the win, especially since the team was playing without one of its primary offensive weapons. Junior Sam Normile, whom Norris called “one of our goal producers last year,” was out with an infection in his hand.
Normile’s absence has put more of the offensive load on Payne and Stanley. “Cameron Payne now is probably our most creative attacker. He’s very quick. He knows how to make runs behind the defense, when to check to the ball,” Norris said. Payne used that speed and skill to score three goals in a recent 4-0 win over Owen Valley.
Stanley has had to transition from a midfielder to a forward spot in an effort to give the Eagles an offensive boost. “Tonight he played incredible, and really, just the last four games, he’s had to step up as our forward. He’s adjusted to it well,” Norris said.
One major concern Norris had going into the season was depth. “I was a little bit concerned that we wouldn’t have much on the bench. But we’ve actually had a few guys who have really stepped up and shown that they have what it takes to be playing varsity soccer,” he said.
Senior Jake Huddleston, junior Aiden Fox and sophomore Calen Stanley were three players Norris identified as being instrumental to the team’s performance.
A position that Norris has not had to fret about is goalkeeper. Junior Wyatt Fox has been busy and highly efficient.
“On the field, he has been our top performer this year,” said Norris, adding “Wyatt’s just a great kid. He is one of the most dependable, kind-hearted teammates.”
Fox tallied 13 saves in a recent game against Bedford North Lawrence.
Brown County’s seven seniors, Jake Huddleston, Logan Huddleston, Cameron Payne, Kyle Roberson, Zach Spires, Ricky Stanley and Ty Wesley, and their parents were honored before the contest. “They wanted this game bad,” said Norris of his seniors.
With the win, the Eagles improved their record to two wins and five losses, and their recent performances have inspired their coach.
“Our last four games now we’ve played very well. Two wins in our last four games, and the two games we lost — one by two goals, and one was by one goal, two very solid opponents.”
It is not just the results that have Norris feeling good; it is also the way the team has been going about its business.
“They are really starting to see how we work as a team, what our strengths are,” he said.
A team finding its identity and having some success at the same time can make a coach feel good.
“It has been encouraging to see how close we have gotten as a team, and it truly feels like we are a family. I am extremely blessed to coach such a good group of guys and look forward to an exciting rest of the season,” Norris said.
