RIVERSIDE, Mo. — It was only fitting that Park Hill’s postseason run ended in dramatic fashion. This is how the Trojans got to this point, after all.
This time, however, Park Hill was on the losing end of a MSHSAA Class 4 boys soccer thriller.
Liberty North ousted the Trojans 4-2 in penalty kicks after the two sides finished a back-and-forth regulation and two extra time periods tied at 2-2 in a state sectional contest on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Park Hill School District Soccer Complex at Park Hill South.
“It was a crazy game, one of the best high school games I ever coached,” Park Hill coach Josh Marchbank said. “I’m incredibly proud of these guys because a month ago our season was done and dusted. We were in a really bad place physically and mentally.”
The Trojans finished the season with a 14-10 record, but more importantly reached the sectional round for the first time in seven years behind seven seniors.
Marchbank, when asked about the significance of his senior class, simply said: “Everything.”
After collecting himself he added: “I’m extremely close with these seniors. We wouldn’t be in the position we are right now without those guys.
“These seniors and leaders picked us up by our bootstraps and led this team to go on a run. I mean, we won 11 out of the last 13 games, and I’m just really proud of these guys.”
With the win, Liberty North (14-11) advanced to its second state quarterfinal contest in the program’s nine-year history and first quarters appearance since 2011.
While the match was action packed, there were no goals to show for in the first half.
But after 47 minutes of scoreless soccer, the floodgates opened.
Liberty North delivered the first punch when Dylan Posado Cora broke through with his speed to get around the Park Hill back line before burying a shot past goalkeeper Stefan Derra in the 48th minute.
Two minutes later, Matthew Lachowitzer equalized from inside the penalty area for the Trojans, finding room to the right of Eagles’ goalkeeper Noah Jackson to knot the score at 1-1.
Then, Jackson Bodinson provided Liberty North’s second goal with a put back after a tussle for the ball out in front of the box in the 55th minute.
The Trojans notched another match-tying goal in the 65th minute, courtesy of Nicholas Bender, scoring off a Jackson save and rebound for a 2-2 score.
“It was frenetic,” Marchbank said. “The second half was definitely a fast-paced game. It was electric. It was end to end; a very good high school soccer game.”
Liberty North coach Art Smith agreed.
“I think both teams started out and tried to be defensive and it just opened up,” he said. “They had chances, we had chances. It was just a really good high school soccer game.”
Those chances continued in the final 15 minutes of regulation, but neither squad broke through, and after two golden goal extra time periods went goal-less, this sectional was destined for penalty kicks.
“To be honest, I thought both teams could have won it and should have won it,” Marchbank said. “We probably could’ve played all night but eventually you have to decide the game with penalties.”
Jackson, Liberty North’s keeper, and the Eagles set the pace for the PK shootout right out of the shoot. Jackson stopped Park Hill’s Jackson Austin on the first take from the penalty spot, energizing the Liberty North squad and fan base.
“That was huge,” Smith said. “He’s come up clutch a lot of times throughout his career in waves. He’s a good goalie who has an x-factor when it comes to those when you need it.”
In total, the next five penalty kicks found the back of the net, giving the Eagles a 3-2 advantage ahead of Park Hill’s fourth attempt. Enter Jackson, once again. Jackson registered his second save on Ethan Fiest’s PK, giving the Eagles an opportunity to end it on their fourth attempt.
Sean McCarthy elected for the left side of goal to bury the ensuing penalty, sending the Eagles into a frenzy and the Trojans into disbelief.
“It stinks and it’s just really hard,” Marchbank said. “But I’ve never been more proud of a team. We have a good core coming back. They have a taste of this and I hope they learn from this experience so we can go on another run next year.”