Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

Triad works overtime to earn third at state soccer finals; goal in fourth OT wins game

NAPERVILLE -- Just when it looked like Triad was going to grab a third-place trophy at the IHSA boys soccer state finals at North Central College, Freeport reminded the Knights there are 80 minutes in regulation.

Trailing 2-1, the Pretzels tied Saturday's game with seven seconds left in regulation off a goal from Danny Streenwood.

Despite the late letdown, Triad rose to the occasion in the fourth overtime and eventually grabbed a 3-2 victory on a goal from A.J. Wise in the game's 110th minute.

"I was just about to take A.J. out of the game," Triad coach Mike Villa said. "I'm glad I didn't."

Wise was in the right place at the right time to knock home the game winner. A loose ball inside the goal box bounced right to the sophomore.

"Coach always talks about trying to predict what may happen, so you can be in the right place," Wise said. "We've had that happen before when someone has tied the game up on us late. But it feels amazing to come back and win the game in our first trip to state."

After Freeport (22-4-4) scored first, Triad (15-10-2) tied the game at 1-1 on Kyle Hoggatt's goal with less than two minutes to play in the first half.

"It was a great game, and both teams played their hearts out," Freeport coach Nick Namio said.

Ben Murray's third goal of the season 10 minutes into the second half gave Triad a 2-1 lead.

"I was disappointed that we gave up the lead late," Villa said. "I was worried after they scored the momentum was going to swing their way, too. But we've been lucky all year, and today we may have gotten a little lucky again."

Triad's Jake Terveer stopped nine shots in goal to earn the win.