Elsah IL. - After the game was postponed due to Tuesday night's thunderstorms, the Principia Panthers faced the Fontbonne Griffins in a hard-fought, 4-3 loss in overtime.
Principia got out to a slow start defensively and Fontbonne capitalized with an early goal. Minutes later, Fontbonne drew a penalty kick, which found the back of the net as well. 2-0 Fontbonne. With the Panthers backs against the wall, freshman winger
Juan Cabral found forward Junior Baraza, where he was fouled in the box.
EG Pierce walked calmly up to the PK line to put the Panthers back in the game. 2-1 Griffins. Principia seemed to have found their momentum.
As the second half wore on, the momentum continued to build. Junior Baraza flicked the ball around an over-zealous defender and cracked a shot off the keeper's hands. The shot proved to be too much to handle as he fumbled it over the goal-line to equalize the game, 2-2. Momentum is a curious thing. For Principia, that momentum continued to rise.
Walter Lazo had a solid second half offensively, whipping dangerous crosses and shots into the box. Finally, Lazo was able to connect on a long ball to
Patrick Sherman, who slyly flicked the ball past the keeper, and into the back of the net. 3-2 Principia. The Panthers seemed to be on their way to a victory, but they were no longer playing from behind. With two minutes left in play, Fontbonne's Tanner Harris slotted an unmarked shot to send the game into overtime. Then, two minutes into OT, Fontbonne quickly seized their opportunity, scoring off a wild deflection that would end Principia's hopes of a momentous comeback.
Up Next: Principia will look to bounce back this Saturday, September 18th, at 1:00 PM, as the Eureka Red Devils visit Elsah, Illinois.
