Brandywine’s Ryan Kubiak (23) heads the ball against Coloma Tuesday afternoon in the Division 3 District Soccer Tournament. The Bobcats were edged by the Comets 3-2 in a shootout. (Daily Star photo/KELLY SWEENEY)

By DON EDEN

 

Niles Daily Star

Brandywine proved in the opener of the Division 3 Soccer Tournament a fast start doesn’t mean victory as visiting Coloma knocked the Bobcats out with a 3-2 comeback on penalty kicks.

Seniors Brian Exner and Jacob Wieger combined with just under seven minutes of play on a goal with the latter setting up a 25-yard missile to give Brandywine an early advantage with Exner doubling the score a minute later from nearly the same spot.

“I have always had confidence in Jake (Wieger) and when he had space to shoot can do his thing,” explained Exner, who missed two weeks this year with a mild concussion. “On my goal just wanted to get it toward the net and shocked it went in for a goal.”

The Bobcats (10-10-1) had eight seniors start and Saul Narrarro is one of only two that begin for Coloma, but he narrowed the deficit to 2-1 with a marvelous midfield to the net ballhandling display which was finished by sophomore Gregor Gombert with 13:27 off the scoreboard after a pass in front of senior goalie Jason Andrews.

“Coloma beat us 3-0 in the conference tournament and I wasn’t happy, so the last two days of practice we were focused to come out ready to play,” stated Brandywine coach Evan Winkler. “We had our chances throughout the game, because our effort was outstanding.”

Junior goalkeeper Tyler Hester of Coloma (6-9-2) kept the score close with a trio of nice saves in the middle of the first half to keep the visitors from falling behind.

“Tyler (Hester) is really coming on strong lately and is an outstanding keeper, but my two seniors (Derrick Schriner and Navarro) are absolutely great players for me,” Coloma coach A. J. Draper said. “We had two really good battles against Brandywine earlier in the year and are playing better after a couple players came out late. Our learning curve and everything is jelling together as our record doesn’t indicate how well we played.”

At halftime, the Bobcats seemed to be in good shape as their 15 shots tripled Coloma and had five corner kicks to just one for the players wearing green.

“We would have won with Jason (Andrews) in goal if one of those shots would have made the score 3-1 at halftime,” noted Winkler. “Their goalie (Hester) made some nice saves for them.”

The second half proved to be just as even as the teams as shots, saves and corner kicks were about even.  The score stayed the same until an indirect kick near midfield from junior Nick Morlock found classmate Christian Lopez open in front, who used his head to knot the score with just under three minutes left in regulation.

“That second goal was all on me and not the defense, because did I not read the kick right,” said Andrews, who had a spectacular senior season. “I couldn’t be happier being the goalie here the last two years and loved to help the team by keeping their spirits up when their mindsets were down.”

After two 10-minute overtime periods with both Andrews and Hester making a couple key saves, the team moving on would be decided on penalty kicks.

“I love being the goalie in penalty kicks as I try to read the opponent and make the play with the pressure on,” added Andrews, who will walk on for tryouts at whatever school he attends next year.

Seniors Matthew Liebetrau, Elliott Richards and Nicholas Srmek each dented the net for the Bobcats with Lopez, Morlock and Navarro finding success for the Comets after five attempts on each side.

Coloma shot first and junior Chris Kraklau sent a low left shot past a diving Andrews before Exner barely missed on the right side to decide the contest.

“These players took a lot of penalty kicks for fun all year and it all paid off, but I need a rest after this one, because it was scary on the sideline,”  a drained Draper admitted afterward. “Everybody is excited about soccer now and are talking about the indoor season which is good for the future of Coloma soccer.”

“The very last kick my fingertip touched it and was devastated it went in,” said Andrews. Exner added. “I was shocked the kick went wide, because I wanted to keep the penalty kick low and near the post.”  

Both seniors spoke highly of Winkler that he “has a good work ethic, has confidence in the team and is exceptional at keeping us fit and leads us without degrading anybody in any way.”

“I am very proud of all these guys who were all exhausted and will miss the seniors very much,” concluded Winkler.  “Both Richards and Liebetrau get hurt in overtime and were determined to go back in.”

Coloma…3

Brandywine…2

First Half

Brandywine – Jacob Wieger seventh minute (Brian Exner assist)

Brandywine – Exner eighth minute

Coloma – Gregor Gombert 14th minute (Saul Navarro assist)

Shots – Coloma 5, Brandywine 15

Saves – Tyler Hester (CO) 6, Jason Andrews (BR) 1

Corner kicks – Coloma 1,  Brandywine 5

Second half

Coloma – Christian Lopez 78th minute (Nick Morlock assist)

Shots – Coloma 11 (16), Brandywine 8 (23)

Saves – Hester 3 (9), Andrews 5 (6)

Corner kicks – none

Overtime

No scoring

Shots – Coloma 2 (18), Brandywine 3 (26)

Saves –  Hester 2 (11), Andrews 2 (8)

Corner kicks – Coloma 0 (1), Brandywine 1 (6)

Penalty kicks

Coloma – Lopez, Morlock, Navarro and Chris Kraklau

Brandywine – Matthew Liebetrau, Elliott Richards and Nicholas Srmek

Varsity records: Coloma 6-9-2, Brandywine 10-10-1