Boys’ Run Ends in PK’s

Knowing that it's their last game, players and fans share one last moment as reality turns to memory. Photo by Jacob Dukes — Knowing that it’s their last game, players and fans share one last moment as reality turns to memory.
Photo by Jacob Dukes

With tears in their eyes and pain in their stomachs, the boys soccer team walked over to the stands for one last high five gauntlet with their fans for the 2013-2014 season.

One final defeat against Clark April 8 ended the team’s playoff run and championship hopes. The game was scoreless for all of regulation and overtime, resulting in a shootout to decide the victor.

Clark took a 2-0 lead in penalty kicks before the boys made their first. But, that would be their only goal as Clark won the shootout 3-1.

“It hurts too bad right now,” Coach Damion Simmons said. “It feels like someone hit me with a two-by-four right in the gut.”

Chris McLeod, 12, chases down the ball while battling a defender. Photo by Jacob Dukes — Chris McLeod, 12, chases down the ball while battling a defender.
Photo by Jacob Dukes

Thirteen seniors will leave this year’s squad, resulting in a heavy gap in the experience range for next year.

“We’ve got a young team coming up, so it’s going to be interesting to see,” Simmons said. “We’ve got to get them in the weight room and take care of that, getting them bigger, stronger, and faster.”