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PK way: Liberty caps comeback with shootout victory against Wakeland
BY CHRIS O'DELL, codell@starlocalnews.com
FRISCO -- The Liberty and Wakeland boys soccer teams entered Friday's showdown with identical records against District 18-4A counterparts.
The Redhawks grabbed the upper hand in the race for the No. 1 seed with a 2-1 shootout victory that featured a late equalizer from junior midfielder Stian Sandbekkhaug.
"We were fortunate to come away with a win," said Fred Kaiser, Liberty head coach. "It easily could have gone the other way."
"[Liberty and Wakeland] have been fighting all year," said Rusty Oglesby, Wakeland head coach. "We knew it would be a great match."
The Wolverines got on the board first with a one-timer from junior midfielder Corey Cantor in the 24th minute. Cantor's goal marked a dominant opening half from Wakeland that saw the Wolverines control possession for a majority of the first 40 minutes.
"We had a great game and had a great game plan," Oglesby said. "Hats off to Liberty for coming back and pulling it off the way they did."
Sandbekkhaug's equalizer didn't end the game's scoring opportunities though.
Liberty goalie Kyle Parks was forced to make a crucial save in the 79th minute when the Wolverines managed a breakaway attempt that could have allowed Wakeland to recapture the lead. Parks turned aside the attempt and put the two team's into a shootout to determine the night's winner.
"I hate to end a game like this on [penalty kicks]," Kaiser said. "I was just real appreciative we pulled away with a win."
Hale began the shootout by stuffing a PK attempt from Romero to give Wakeland the early advantage.
Cantor followed suit with a goal to the left of Parks that put the Wolverines in the driver's seat. However, Parks would later come through with a key stop to keep the shootout going another round.
"[Parks] did his job," Kaiser said. "I know he is going to kick himself over a few of the shots, but he did what he needed to do."
The two teams then went back-and-forth until a Wakeland shot sailed over the crossbar, giving Liberty the 2-1 victory.
"That's soccer," Oglesby said. "I love soccer and I hate soccer."
The victory improved Liberty's season mark to 16-2-1, with a 5-1 district record putting the Redhawks a game ahead of Wakeland.
"It obviously puts us on top," Kaiser said, "but Wakeland is a ridiculously good team."
The Wolverines (12-5-4) fell into a three-way tie with Heritage and Centennial for second place in the district after the loss. Oglesby said the toughness of District 18-4A should benefit each of the four playoff teams.
"When you come out of this district you have an opportunity to make a long run in the playoffs," he said.
Wakeland will look to rebound from Friday's loss with a 7:30 p.m. road game against Frisco on Tuesday, while the Redhawks look to stay in first with a home contest against Lone Star at the same time.
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