Knights knock off JT in shootouts

Dominating play for most of the game wasn’t enough in Jim Thorpe’s 4-3 shootout loss to Pen Argyl in Tuesday’s District 11 Class 2A semifinal contest.

After two overtimes produced no winner, Green Knights’ goalkeeper Graham Rose made diving saves on Thorpe’s Alex Putt and Raymond O’Neil.

Pen Argyl’s David Eibeck scored first in the shootout, and his goal was followed by a score from Nathan DeBellis.

Leandro Ramirez hit the back of the net for the Olympians, but PA’s Dawson Frable scored the game-winner, ending Thorpe’s chance to play for the district championship.

Amidst the tears and hugs on the Olympian sideline, head coach Mike Dudak composed himself from the reality that his Schuylkill League championship team had left it all on the field, but fell just short to the fifth-seeded Green Knights.

“We had an incredible season,” said Dudak. “Every game we lost was by just one goal.”

Top-seeded Thorpe found out early that Pen Argyl was ready to play. With just 1:12 gone, Eibeck got by the JT defense to score the game’s first goal.

Ten minutes later, Samir Mehmedi took a pass from Nathan Stocker, and his kick deflected into the net for a 2-0 Knights lead.

The Olympians battled back to tie the game, as they dominated field position. After several offensive rushes, Thor Huth got a lead pass from Ramirez and drilled his shot into the goal at the 19-minute mark.

As the first-half clock ticked down to under 10 seconds, Putt — known for his big leg all season — booted a rocket shot into the lower left corner from 20 yards back and just like that the score was knotted at 2-2.

“Down by two, we rallied back,” said Dudak. “And when we went up 3-2, it looked like we could hold on.”

Thorpe’s third goal came with five minutes gone in the second half. After stopping a Pen Argyl rush, Huth found Marc Waslesyn, who buried his shot into the left corner of the net.

The Olympians continued to dominate the action ... until the 16-minute mark.

A Pen Argyl throw-in resulted in a scramble in front of the JT net until DeBellis put home a rebound to tie the game at 3-3.

The Olympians came close in both overtimes with rush after rush, but their shots sailed just wide of the goal or were easy saves by Rose.

Dudak spared no emotion in talking about his team.

“We were cramping and we were exhausted, but we gave it everything we could.”

His final remark signified what he’s been saying all season long about the 2019 Olympians.

“We were not just a soccer team,” he said. “We were a family.”

OUT WITH SHOOTOUTS? ... Dudak mentioned that it was a shame that the significance of playoff soccer is ultimately determined by kicking the ball from 10 yards away at a goalkeeper who has to react quickly to stop the goal. “It’s not about who wins or loses, the game should be played until 1 o’clock in the morning if need be to determine a winner fairly.”

STATS DON’T TELL THE STORY ... Jim Thorpe outshot Pen Argyl 29-21. Rose made 19 saves compared to six by JT’s Jacob Geiser. Corner kicks were 10-2 in favor of the Olympians.