By By DON EDEN / Vigilant/Argus
The soccer squads at Edwardsburg still have South Haven as their nemesis as the girls were rammed in overtime 3-2 Tuesday in a Division 3 tournament contest.
A controversial goal for the Rams occurred 55:55 into the game as the ball appeared to hit the post and grabbed by Eddie goalie Christina Hans, but the side referee ruled her momentum carried the ball over the line according to the coach's afterwards.
"I sure couldn't tell if the ball went in but we have trouble scoring goals and we are real lucky to get that one," observed South Haven coach Benno Trenkle. "This was a tough game against evenly matched teams."
Edwardsburg (12-3-1) was still in shock with the shutout being taken off the scoreboard as South Haven (9-6-2) abruptly took the ball down the field and senior Jane Barden fired a 20 yard shot over Hans 15 seconds later.
Junior Brea Eden of the Eddies scored the lone tally in the first half just under five minutes from the starting whistle with a redirection off a Aly Mooth pass.
"What can you do when you play mentally tough the entire game and 15 seconds caused the difference," remarked Edwardsburg coach Ryan Rosenkranz. "The call for that first goal didn't help but this could have been the district final with quite possible the best two teams."
The two teams finished with a tie earlier in the season and Eddie senior Amanda Mooth deadlocked the score once again with a 20-yard direct kick into the lower left corner of the net.
Players for Edwardsburg were being carried off with injuries and limping off the field as the Rams took the final three shots in regulation.
The overtime period was controlled by South Haven and senior Liz Missman did not miss sophomore teammate Hannah Seiler alone in front of Hans.
"This was a tough way to end our most successful season ever as the girls played well," stated Rosenkranz. "We were not up to par with all the injuries, but have no excuses and proud of all of them."
South Haven will contine carrying the momentum of an eight game winning streak with Paw Paw being the potential hurdle in the district after losing 3-0 earlier in the year.
"Edwardsburg was more aggressive than us and we did not finish by missing open shots," said Trenkle. "We need to pass better to advance since we were kind of sloppy sometimes with the ball which is usually our strength."
Rosenkranz concluded by complementing the seniors who all contributed in building the program and were great leaders with key roles.
The seniors are Samantha Brousseau (heart condition limited her playing time but created opportunities), Miriam Agudo (great addition who was very good with the ball), Amanda Mooth (irreplaceable who can do anything and is dangerous from 35 yards and closer), Christine Davenport (was a quick and smart player who fought back from back to back ankle injuries), Rene Burks (was a rock after bouncing back from an ACL injury who was very physical and tough) and CC Roberts (great leader on and off the field who was a 4 year starter and sacrificed her body by example).
First Half
Brea Eden (ED) Aly Mooth assist 5th minute
Shots Edwardsburg 6, South Haven 7
Saves Christina Hans (ED) 5, Claire Trapp (SH) 2
Corner kicks Edwardsburg 1 South Haven 4
Second Half
Nicole Dotson (SH) 56th minute
Jane Barden (SH) 57th minute
Amanda Mooth (ED) 68th minute
Shots Edwardsburg 3, South Haven 12
Saves Hans 5 (10), Trapp 1 (3)
Corner kicks Edwardsburg 1 (2), South Haven 0 (4)
Overtime
Hannah Seiler (SH) Liz Missman assist 91st minute
Shots Edwardsburg 0 (9), South Haven 3 (22)