Wildcats disappointed after Lions rally for a draw

By Curt Herron

Things certainly looked pretty good for Neuqua Valley midway through the first half of Saturday's big clash at Lyons Township.

The Wildcats scored a pair of goals just 2:04 apart to help them grab a 2-0 advantage that they still maintained at halftime.

But while Tony Kees's squad was able to silence a raucous crowd at LT's West Field for a half, it was a different story after the break.

Sparked by the controversy involving having an apparent goal disallowed, the Lions took complete control during the final 35 minutes.

They cut the deficit to 2-1 a short time later and got the equalizer with 45 seconds left to force a 2-2 draw in the match in LaGrange.

While LT's players and fans celebrated a dramatic comeback, things were rather subdued on the Wildcats' bench following the action.

That was due in part to the the Lions' consistent pressure on Neuqua's net during the second half while the Wildcats rarely threatened.

Lengthy delays due to the officiating prolonged the match and didn't help the Wildcats' attempts to turn the tide in the second half.

Saturday's showdown was the third straight dramatic matchup between two squads who are again regarded among the best in the state.

After Neuqua dominated LT in a week one match last season, the Lions forced double overtime before falling in the Pepsi Showdown finals.

But Lyons got the last laugh when it handed Neuqua its only loss in the super-sectional and then went on to capture the Class 3A title.

While disappointed about Saturday's result, the Wildcat coach realizes that the experience will help make his team better in the future.

Click to hear Tony Kees interview

LT forced a 2-2 draw in the final minute of play when Mark Pawula made a short header, following a header from Elliot Borge and throw in from Peter Kralovec-Kirchherr.

Making the comeback all that more impressive was the fact that the Lions completed their rally while playing a man down due to a red card a few minutes earlier.

Lyons midfielder Kyle Kurfirst drew the red card with 5:16 left after he and Wildcat keeper Hunter Hollingshead collided in of Neuqua's net.

That play came after a long sequence during which Horacio Sanchez, Pete Gabrek, Kralovec-Kirchherr and Borge all threatened to tie things.

LT looked like it had pulled to within 2-1 with 35:09 left after Kurfirst scored on a bicycle kick, following passes from Kralovec-Kirchherr and Gabrek.

But the officials ruled that Neuqua should have been allowed to substitute due to a yellow card prior to the play and thus waved off the score.

Following nearly 10 minutes of discussion, play resumed and LT finally did score with 33:33 left when Ben Larson connected off a pass from Sanchez.

Lyons had some good chances in the early going with Borge being denied in the first minute and later getting stopped on a line drive free kick.

But Neuqua struck first with 24:22 left in the first half when LT keeper Kevin Beglen stopped a Jacob Brindle shot and Butler put in a short rebound.

Then with 22:18 remaining before the break, Butler scored on a header from close range following a pass toward the net from A.K. Karkazis.

Click to hear Will Butler interview

LT finally threatened again with just over seven minutes left in the opening half when Gabrek had a header deflected away by Hollingshead.

Neuqua Valley looked to be in good shape owning a 2-0 lead with only 40 minutes left but the momentum quickly turned on them after the break.

Now the Wildcats prepare for a challenging week in which they take on quality Naperville North and Benet Academy teams in the Best of the West.