Both the Decorah girls’ (2-3) and boys’ (2-2-1) varsity soccer teams took to the pitch on Monday night (April 18), each falling to their opponent in overtime. The girls faced off against Waterloo East (2-3) in an away game, losing in a shootout. The boys played North Fayette Valley (4-1) at home, losing 0-1 in overtime.
Both the Decorah girls’ (2-3) and boys’ (2-2-1) varsity soccer teams took to the pitch on Monday night (April 18), each falling to their opponent in overtime. The girls faced off against Waterloo East (2-3) in an away game, losing in a shootout. The boys played North Fayette Valley (4-1) at home, losing 0-1 in overtime.
Boys deadlocked at home
The frigid weather and powerful winds didn’t bother either team at the boys’ game, with the ball spending near equal time on each side of the pitch for a majority of the game. Each team had plenty of scrambles in the box, as well as some close calls from shots that came outside the box.
Senior Zach Jermier got close to a goal off of a North Fayette Valley handball, sending the free kick straight at the goal, but sailing just barely right of the post, drawing gasps from the crowd. Senior Ryan Johanningmeier got even closer when he capitalized on a rebound off the North Fayette Valley goalkeeper, sending it just over the crossbar and out of bounds.
The second half kept things just as deadlocked, with a yellow card per team briefly interrupting the action. The game turned in North Fayette Valley’s favor during the second 10-minute half of overtime, when a shot from quarter-pitch went sailing for the far goalpost, dinging off at a hair’s breadth and bouncing back into the goal. NFV won the game with three minutes left on the clock, 0-1.
Girls fall in PKs
The Lady Vikes took things a step further, reaching a shootout to decide the night’s winner. Just as with the boys, the Decorah and Waterloo defenses held strong, but offered very few chances for the opposing offense to score. The deadlock continued past regulation, as two overtimes proved just as fruitless for scoring.
The deadlock eventually led to a shootout, in which the Vikings narrowly had victory taken from them, with Waterloo East winning the trade-off 3 to 2.
“The game itself and both overtimes were a lesson in futility for both teams,” Coach Loren Hendrickson said. “We need to do a better job of connecting passes. Not just one or two, but a series of passes that pull the defense apart. It is something we need to work on diligently.”
Boys shut out NH
Back on the pitch 24 hours later, the boys lit up the scoreboard repeatedly at New Hampton Tuesday night to win, 8-0.
Leading off scoring at the six minute mark for the Vikes was sophomore Jimmy Valdez assisted by senior Trysten Finholt. Just about 10 minutes later senior Zach Jermier got his first goal of the season on a header from a junior Jake Magner’s corner kick. Magner followed up with a goal of his own three minutes later, assisted by a throw-in by Ryan Johanningmeier. Johanningmeier got his second assist for the day dishing the ball to sophomore Jeramiah Rediske. Rediske knocked in a second goal, assisted by senior Adrian Huang before the end of the half.
Opening up scoring in the second half with an unassisted goal was Huang. Magner hammered home a cross from Johanningmeier that was flicked on by senior Brody Young. Finishing scoring for the Viking squad at the 50-minute mark was Rediske with his third, and the team’s eighth goal of the day, assisted by senior Bradyn Hook.
Combining in goal for the shutout were senior Brayden Reiser and sophomore Caleb Meyer.
“This was a good day to adjust the little mistakes we’ve been making in previous games and gave us the ability to play every player. We rotated through everyone in the first half and were able to get all our starters out after 10 minutes of play in the second half. Our guys that came in off the bench got a solid half of play today and really worked hard. They need the experience, and this was great day for that,” said Coach Julie Simiele. “We’re looking to improve a little each game, and this game showed us exactly what we need to perfect as we look to the challenges that the end of the season will bring.”
Up next for Decorah
The Lady Vikings will take to the road Thursday, April 21, to face Dubuque Hempstead in an away game at 4:15 p.m. They will have a short turn around as they will be at home versus Clear Lake Friday, April 22, at 5 p.m.
The boys will have to wait until Friday, April 22, to take the pitch again, facing Clayton Ridge in their own away game at 5 p.m.
Both squads will be on the home pitch Monday, April 25, against Denver. The boys will start the night at 5 p.m., followed by the girls.
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