Jackets put in extra work to top Elks
Elijah Click’s save in the third round of penalty kicks secured a momentous win for the Kingfisher High School boys soccer team.
The senior keeper’s stop gave KHS a 1-0 victory over Elk City in the third place game of the Jim Loomis Invitational Saturday in Weatherford.
It’s the third year in a row for KHS to play in the third-place game, but the first time to win it.
It also marks the first time in coach Isaac Waltman’s five-year tenure to place in an in-season tournament.
“Overall, the tournament was a great experience and provided an excellent opportunity to compete against quality opponents before district play begins,” Waltman said.
On top of everything else, the win avenged a 6-5 loss to Elk City on the Elks’ home field on March 12.
This time the scoring was greatly reduced as neither keeper surrendered a goal in regulation.
“The game itself was very competitive with a lot of back-and-forth action,” Waltman said. “Both teams had several shots, but were unable to sneak one past the opposing keepers.”
The first round of penalty kicks sees both teams get five attempts.
The team that scores the most goals wins.
KHS converted on its first three attempts and Abel Guzman, Eduardo De La Torre and Rhett Schlegel each found the back of the net.
Elk City missed on its third attempt, but the Jackets couldn’t convert on the fourth.
After both teams - including Kingfisher’s Romeo Mercado - converted their fifth attempt, the match remained tied and headed for the second round of penalty kicks.
This was a sudden death format where the shootout ends as soon as one team gains the advantage.
That didn’t happen. Both teams converted three attempts and both keepers recorded two saves.
On to the third round it went, but it didn’t last long.
Again in sudden death, KHS got the early boost when on the team’s 11th kick of the shootout, Guzman scored.
Click followed with his save to get the win.
The Jackets opened the tournament Friday with a 2-1 victory over Duncan before being defeated 3-0 by Weatherford in the semifi nals.
Saturday’s win improved the Jackets to 3-4 overall.
They are currently 1-0 in District 3A-2 with a 10-0 win last week over Corn Bible Academy, but business picked up this week.
KHS visited Mount St. Mary on Tuesday and hosted Crossings Christian on Wednesday (both after press time).
“Both teams are currently among the best in Class 3A,” Waltman said.
The season hits the home stretch starting April 7 by hosting Harding Fine Arts. That’s the start of a stretch in which the Jackets play six games in less than three weeks.
“I’m excited for district play to begin as it will be our first real opportunity to see the work we have put in over the past several months come to life,” Waltman said.