Home
Boys Soccer: Bexley 2, Big Walnut 1 (PK)
Nov 01, 2009
By FRANK DiRENNA
ThisWeek Contributor
It was fitting that Bexley High School boys soccer junior goalie Christian Liefeld be the final player to accept the medal for winning the Division II title Saturday at Grandview.
Liefeld's two saves during penalty kicks lifted the Lions to a 2-1 victory over Big Walnut.
"We prepared all season for this moment," Liefeld said. "We've practiced (penalty kicks) in the recent weeks. It's them, it's me, it's everybody. I'm not supposed to get them, but you go out and practice so that you can. It's a team effort. Everybody left out here."
Bexley advances to a regional semifinal against Kettering Alter on Tuesday at Fairborn.
The second-seeded Lions, who improved to 15-2-2, won their first district title since 2006 and are seeking their first state championship since 2005.
"We have a great group of kids that are looking forward to what the regional has for us," Bexley coach Greg Kullman said. "It's just a phenomenal thing for us to beat such a great Big Walnut team. We knew they were going to be tough, and we knew it would take all of 80 minutes and then plus some."
Big Walnut, which was seeded third and closed the season 13-3-3, scored first on Joel Craig's goal off a Shane Facemyer corner kick with 2 minutes, 37 seconds remaining in the first half.
Bexley tied the score when Kevin Bond lifted a direct shot to the upper left-hand corner of the net from 35 yards, beating goalie A.J. Fleak.
The game remained deadlock through regulation and two 15-minute overtime sessions before Liefeld took over.
With his team even in penalty kicks at 4-4 at and facing elimination on the final shot of the first set, Liefeld made a brilliant diving stop against Tim Chucta to force sudden-death penalty kicks.
Collin Hepler scored on Bexley's first chance, and Liefeld then sealed the district title by turning away Zach Mason.
"We made a run the last two years on PKs, so we can't say anything," Big Walnut coach Charles Brodhead said. "At some point, it was going to happen."
Copyright 2009
Powered By Zebra Mobile