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Lions Win Shootout vs. North Gwinnett

03/31/2011, 5:00am EDT
By Staff

BRANDON GREEN'S GOAL SENDS GAME TO PK'S; KUPSTAS SHINES

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

The Varsity Boys played what could arguably be called one of the most exciting games in recent history when they took on the North Gwinnett Bulldogs at Lion Stadium Thursday night.  After Regulation and two overtimes, the game was knotted at 1-1 sending the exhausted players to the penalty spot to decide the important region 7 AAAAA contest.  When the dust settled, the jubuliance of Lion Keeper Mitch Kupstas told the tale as the Lions prevailed by winning the penalty kick shoot-out 3-2.

Known for their midfield and attacking players the Bulldogs were stymied by a stingy Lion defense that thwarted every shot attempted.  On the other end of the field, the Lion attack was in full-swing, as shot after shot was whistled at the Bulldog Keeper.  "This game does not go to PK's if not for the great play of the Bulldog's keeper, I give him a lot of credit.  He stopped numerous shots that go in the goal on most nights," stated Coach Ryan Sutton.  "The game could have easily been 5-1 in our favor". 

As it was, the Lions actually found themselves down 1-0 going into the half as the Lions were whistled for a penalty in the box in the 28th minute.  The Bulldog forward stepped to the spot and finished the opportunity in fine fashion.  The Lion's were left scratching their heads after 45 minutes as their 9-3 shot's on goal advantage found them trailing.

The second half found the Lions applying constant pressure to find the equalizer.  Eight minutes into the half, the Lion's had already has 6 quality chances at goal, when sophomore Jeremy Rector played a cross through the goal mouth that bounded to open senior midfielder Brandon Green.  Green took the first bounced and volleyed it with the first touch of his left foot into the back of the net and Lion's finally had their equalizer.

"On numerouse occasions in the second half we had chances to win this in regulation," said Coach Sutton.  "While that is frustrating, what an exciting finish it made for."

As it turned out, the Lions and Bulldogs would go to overtime where once again the Lions had 6 shots to the Bulldogs 1, but both keepers made spectacular saves to send the contest to PK's.

You could call what happened next a Mitch Kupstas moment, as the Senior took the weight of the 90 minute effort on his shoulders and reminded the tense crowd why he was selected by NCAA Division 1 Perrineal powerhouse Brown University to play keeper for them next year.  "Mitch was fantastic!" said an elated Coach Sutton.  "He has been one of our leader's all year, and man did he ever lead in this one." 

Kupstas stopped 3 of the Bulldogs first 4 shots, while the Bulldog keeper stopped 2 of 4, leaving the score 2-1 Lions going into the 5th penalty kick.  The Dogs were to shoot first, and the Bulldog captain stepped to the spot and buried his attempt, knotting the shootout at 2 goals each.  Taking the last attempt for the Lion's would be Kupstas himself.  As the intensity rose and the stadium grew deathly quiet, the senior ripped his shot into the upper right hand corner of the net for the 3-2 PK victory and the celebration was on!

Next up the Lion's take on Marist at Peachtree Ridge Stadium next Friday at 7:30pm, Be There!

Tag(s): Lions News