Peachtree Ridge Lions Soccer

LIONS LOSE HEARTBREAKER - FINISH SEASON 14-3

The Weeler Wildcats brought an early close to an otherwise fantastic season when they stunned the Peachtree Ridge Varsity Boys in the first round of the 2011 GHSA state soccer playoffs Tuesday night.  The loss was only the fourth of the season for the Lions.

The game started well enough for the Lions. In the 5th minute sophomore Jeremy Rector took a pass from senior Chris Cook and  beat two Wildcart defenders sending a low shot into the corner of the net from the top of the box for the 1-0 lead.  The Lions seemingly had the second goal of the match when strong work from Rector and a nifty pass Michael Valenzuela found Rector one-on-one with the keeper.  Rector's chip shot beat the keeper and seemed to cross the goal line only to be booted away by a wildcat defender.  "In all fairness to the linesman, maybe the position of the Wheeler defender obscured him from seeing the ball," said Peachtree Ridge Coach Ryan Sutton.  "We sure thought the ball crossed the goal line.  The defenders left foot was on the goal line, and it looked like he reached into the goal with his right foot to clear the ball." 

Jeremy Rector's chip shot is waved off by the linesman

The Lions continued to mount attacks in the first half but could not finish.  Those missed attempts would come back to haunt them, as they left the door open for Wheeler.  "We managed the first half well on the field and dominated play, but when we did not convert our chances, Wheeler started believing in themselves," said Coach Ryan Sutton.  "They made a couple of good plays to stop several threatening efforrts, and each time they did, their confidence rose." 

The second half saw Wheeler come out much more physical and aggressive - with the Wilcats receiving multiple penalties and several yellow cards.  Play shifted ever so slightly, and while the Lions still out-shot the Wildcats in the second half, the momentum the Lions had in the first half was gone.  The effort turned into a back and forth battle that saw the possession arrow shift to the Wildcats.  The Lion defense held the Wildcats in check, with Junior J.T. Taplin, Junior Michael Valenzuela and sophomore Jake Siracusa turning in brilliant performances.  In the 60th minute the Wildcats would get one of their only two shots on frame, when the Lions were whistled for a penalty along the right sideline 10-yards outside the box.  The Wildcats made the most of it as the free kick was bent low around the Lion wall and into the box.  Three Wildcats converged on the kick, with the last poking the ball into the net.  The well-executed set piece left Peachtree Ridge and Region 7 Goalkeeper of the Year Mitch Kupstas no chance on the play.

The game reached the end of regulation and two over-times with the teams knotted at 1 goal each.  "What can you say, when you get to that point, it is anyones game," said Coach Sutton.  Both teams were extremely accurate with their attempts, but it was the Wildcats pervailing 10-9 in the shootout.  "Mitch was outstanding.  He guessed correctly on every penalty kick, but Wheeler placed them well."

Thanks to the Lions for a great season and good luck to the seniors!