The Lady Pioneers were hosts tonight for 9th Region tournament action. The Pioneers took to the field in the night cap in action versus the Boone County Rebels. SK comes out on top 4-1 in a game that went overtime. Although the Pioneers won by 3 goals, the game was obviously much closer than that final score.
Both teams were able to get on the board with single goals on the first half. SK actually controlled the ball for most of the half but Boone took momentum to half time after getting the tying goal before half-time off of a direct free kick just outside the box.
The game took on a defensive tone in the second half and overtime as the keepers, Ashley Repka for SK and Diana Perez for Boone, made awesome save after awesome save. SK would finally break the tie when Chelsea Landrum sent a ball in from the left side of the box. The Boone keeper came up with the ball but not before the momentum took her across the goal line after being pressured by Jessie Cooper. After the referees consulted with each other, the signal was for a goal. The Pioneers got an insurance goal after Aly Ponzer sent a direct kick in from just outside the penalty area. Ponzer scored right after a Boone player was sent off for an apparent intentional hand ball that denied an obvious goal. In my opinion, a tough call in a regional semifinal game. SK got the final goal off of a corner kick after a ball that ricocheted off several Pioneers found its way over the goal line. The game ended with a flurry of yellow cards and a SK player also being sent off. Again, a tough call in a regional semifinal game.
During the course of the game, SK used many more substitutions than Boone. Was it a difference in the game? Hard to say, but when a team has just played its guts out for 80 minutes and has to go another 20 minutes, I like the chances of the team that has subbed more.
I congratulate Boone on a strong effort and wish SK good luck in the regional final. In the end, both teams left everything they had on the field and it truly was one of those contests where you hate to see either team lose. I only wish there could have been as much sportsmanship left in the stands. Too bad because the game deserved better.
The Lady Neers will take on St. Henry on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Regional Final that is a repeat of last year’s final. This will mark SK’s third straight appearance in the regional final. Good Luck Girls!
Finally, here are the official rules where there are plays that result in a player being sent off.
A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offences:
1. is guilty of serious foul play
2. is guilty of violent conduct
3. spits at an opponent or any other person
4. denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
5. denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
6. uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
7. receives a second caution in the same match.
SIMON KENTON SPORTS NEWS
