The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds boys soccer team may not have cared how it happened, just that it’s over.
NewCath ended a 14-game losing streak to the Highlands Bluebirds with a 3-2 win, taking the penalty kick shootout 5-4 at Morscher Field on Tuesday. The Thoroughbreds (10-3) had not beaten the Bluebirds (7-3-2) since winning their last 36th District championship, 2-1 on Oct. 13, 2015.
“I’m proud of the guys. We went over a few things (Monday), how to play these guys,” said Ben Williams, NewCath head coach. “They have very good players. We’re well-aware of what’s at stake. We were determined and organized. That’s a credit to the guys. These moments with this atmosphere is going to do nothing but help us.”
Tied 2-2 after regulation and two five-minute overtime periods, kicks from the mark decided who wears the home white uniforms in the 36th District championship in a few weeks. It came down to one stop and NewCath goalkeeper Mason McCloskey made it on the fifth attempt, stopping a Chad Gesenhues shot to the lower right, diving to his left, then setting off a big celebration with his teammates.
Vinny Petroze, Brady Diedenhofer, Jonathan Green, Ryan Desmond and Brayden Leger made their shots for NewCath. Adarsh Khullar, Tyler Whitney, Zach DeSylva and Jack Haggard hit the first four for Highlands. McCloskey stopped Khullar’s first kick, but a violation gave Khullar another chance and he buried it.
NewCath came out strong possessing the ball and outshot Highlands, 16-13. McCloskey finished with seven saves. Highlands goalkeeper Sam Lang had two saves in the first half and Jack Wilson had four in the second half.
“None of this would have ever happened without our coaches,” said Sam Krebs, NewCath senior. “I think we spent hours talking about defensive position, where we should be. Our communication in the back was exceptionally well. It’s probably the best it’s been all season.”
Both teams had their chances in the first half. Desmond scored the only goal of the half putting in a rebound off a Chase Fields assist. Desmond’s goal was his team-high 10th.
“I saw the ball at the top of the box. Once you see that, you just have to stay calm,” Desmond said. “You pick your spot in the net where you want to place it and hit it with confidence. If you don’t have confidence, you’re not going to hit it well.”
NewCath appeared to take control as the teams battled back and forth as the rains poured in about the first 20 minutes of the half. Desmond dribbled left and crossed one in the box to Diedenhofer to put NewCath up 2-0 with 22:09 left in regulation.
Highlands rallied with Khullar scoring his fifth and sixth goals of the year. The first one came on a penalty kick with 22:09 left in regulation and the second came with 7:40 left, dribbling up the right side and scoring after NewCath misplayed the ball attempting to clear it out.
“We obviously didn’t start off great,” said Suli Kayed, Highlands head coach. “Now you’re trying to play catch up. They kept fighting until the last minute. NCC is a good team this year and deserved this win. But I told the boys make sure you remember this feeling right now because in three weeks, you can either prevent it or face it again.”
It was a clean game for the most part. Highlands drew the game’s lone yellow card in the final seconds of regulation. The teams committed seven fouls each.
The next opponent for both teams is against Bishop Brossart (9-3-3). Highlands plays host to the Mustangs on Thursday at 7:45 p.m. NewCath plays them Saturday at the Mustang Athletic Complex in the All “A” State Sectional Tournament game at 7:30 p.m.