Last Minute Heroics Earn Simley Spot in State Soccer Tournament Semifinals

(18-1-4)  Simley Spartans  2 – 1  Austin Packers (14-6-0)

With 11:29 left to play in the first half and after dominating most of the game, the Simley Spartans were fouled in the Austin penalty box and a spot kick ensued. Senior forward Ben Royce stepped up and hit a solid shot into the upper right corner of the net and past Packer goalkeeper Ryan Rasell. The penalty put the Spartans up 1-0 which held through the half.

Austin came to life midway through the second half. With the wind at their backs the Packers started taking control, creating several good chances. None better than an Austin buildup with a shot taken by Noe Garcia Marquez from 22 yards out. The junior forward blasted his shot just inches past the left post of Simley.

With the momentum changing and the weather conditions worsening, Austin continued to push. With 5:39 left in regulation, the second spot kick of the night was awarded, this one given to Austin after a hand ball was called against a Simley defender. Jacob Brehmer stepped up to the spot and drilled the ball right as Simley goalkeeper Andrew Nelson dove left. The goal brought the two teams even 1-1.

With one minute left to play and the game looking as if it would go to overtime, Simley’s Oja Ena received an innocuous looking pass and created something out of nothing. The senior forward received the ball and turned his defender in one swift move. In doing so he slipped the defender and then hammered a screamer of a ball into the left side of goal from 18 yards out. The shot stunned Austin and the crowd who where braving the stormy conditions at Roseville high school.

The goal proved to be the winner for Simley as they move on to play in the semifinals against Hermantown at the Metrodome at 2 pm Monday, November 2.