Early gate, pointed net -ot gain for young grizzlies

For a program in the first year, Battle Creek works on a fairly trophy case.

With the 3-2 overtime victory on Tuesday against the visiting community in the semi-finals of the tournament of the Region 5-A, the Grizzlies changed with the victory to get a second badge for their title “District 10-A”.

“It wasn't the best game. We had some weak moments, but we never gave up. That was the most important thing,” said William Shetler, whose free kick Gio Solis' header for the gametying goal with almost six minutes in the regulation in regulation in the period with 41 seconds in the second 10-minute OT period.

“The way we won our (district) tournament after we had come back 4: 1 (against Richland) and had won and won the championship was a pretty big deal for us.”

A 6-1 victory against Richland in the district finale after a draw and a defeat with three goals against the Raiders during the regular season had the collective self-confidence of the Grizzlies when they occurred on Tuesday.

When Charles Gray first rated Corbyn Bartley feed eight minutes before the break, he did not harm the mental state of the hosts.

But the community (6-6-1) faded only 30 seconds in the second half, when Alejandro Katalan's shot escaped from the left, the goalkeeper from Freshman Ryan Gad escaped.

“Since we won our district, this gave us a certain feeling that we could overcome it,” said Goad. “When we started newcomers and in the second year, people thought that we would not go very far. These are just a few of the steps we have to take.”

Battle Creek coach AJ Smith was not surprised that his grizzlies (11-7-1) smoke back.

“As long as we stayed in it, I had the feeling that I had a chance,” said Smith. “We missed some chances, but luckily we came late and took advantage of it. It was only a question to stay in it as long as possible.

“William is a child, but he came into this program and put up the standard. He deserved this moment. And Ryan had previously only played (leisure) football for a year. In the beginning he only said” I'm sorry “. He made a lot of mistakes.

The community coach Jesse Cooper never felt comfortable for good reason, even when his Vikings stormed in the second half.

“When we played Forrest (in the tournament finale of the District 9-A), we were 2-0 with about 7 ½ minutes before the end and lost 3: 2,” said Cooper. “So I didn't feel sure at all.

“We knew that Battle Creek was a good team and they kept creating opportunities. They kept putting away. I told the boys:” They are newcomers and students in the second year, but they cannot overlook them, they have to respect them. They are all really good players. I am glad that you will be from our region next year. “

Battle Creek will travel for the Masterschaft region on Thursday. Win or lose, the grizzlies will rise to a section competition on Saturday.

“We talked about doing it step by step. We are not afraid to take as many steps as we need to get up,” said Smith. “It was a wild night, but we were in these games and we were on the other side of these games.

“Thursday we will be ready to play Forrest and hopefully bring another championship home.”