Perryville soccer team ends Notre Dame's season in penalty kicks

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Senior Matthew Clinton changed his mind at the last moment.

His low shot to his left that just sneaked inside the goal post set off a wild celebration Monday.

Clinton's ability to convert his penalty kick handed Perryville a victory over Notre Dame in a Class 2 District 1 boys soccer semifinal.

"Right when I was over the ball, I thought I was going right," Clinton said. "Then I changed it. I thought he was saving it. Everything is a blur now. Greatest feeling ever."

The teams were deadlocked 1-1 after regulation and the two 15-minute overtime sessions. The Pirates converted all five of their penalty kicks, while Pirates goalkeeper Nate Kinnison thwarted one of the Bulldogs' attempts.

Perryville's Alex Robinson kicks the ball away from Notre Dame's Phillip Schuchardt and teammate Matthew Moran during the first half of their Class 2 District 1 soccer tournament Monday in Perryville, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

Notre Dame junior Luke Mocherman, who was the Bulldogs' second shooter, sent a drive at the middle of the goal.

"I would usually guess one way and go with it," Kinnison said. "But for some reason, I felt I didn't want to go that way. I don't know what it was. When I saved that, it was a wonderful feeling. Oh my gosh."

Kinnison knocked down the ball with both hands to put his team in the driver's seat.

"When I got that save, we were up one and their keeper hadn't even touched one yet," Kinnison said. "It really made me feel really confident about us winning in PKs."

Kinnison's save set the stage for Clinton's clinching shot. He jumped in the air and was met by a mob of teammates and Perryville fans after scoring.

Perryville's Alex Robinson kicks the ball away from Notre Dame's Phillip Schuchardt and teammate Matthew Moran during the first half of the opening round of the Class 2 District 1 soccer tournament Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 in Perryville, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

"At first I didn't even believe it," Kinnison said. "I was like, 'Did we just win? Did that just happen?' It was one of the great feelings."

Notre Dame boasts one of the best keepers in the region, but the Bulldogs were forced into the shootout without him. Senior James Holloway was kicked in the head by Perryville's Bryce Orf while making a save with 4 minutes, 11 seconds left in the first overtime. Holloway, who suffered a concussion, laid on the ground for several minutes before being helped off the field. Seth Cramer took over in goal for Holloway.

Orf was issued a red card, meaning the Pirates were forced to play the remainder of the game with 10 players. That changed the Pirates' strategy.

"Once we went a man down, they dropped our defense back so that I was the only one up front," Perryville senior Bryce Weibrecht said. "We knew it was going to be hard one on four, so we wanted to get to a shootout."

Cramer remained in goal for Perryville's first two attempts in the shootout before giving way to Matthew Parsons for the final three attempts.

"You'd like to have James in there for PKs because he's so experienced," Notre Dame coach Brad Wittenborn said. "He's saved a lot of PKs this year. If you're going into PKs with James in goal, I think you have a definite advantage."

Notre Dame senior Jonathan Lynch said it affected the Bulldogs to lose their three-year starter in goal during overtime.

"Wouldn't trade him for anyone in the world," Lynch said. "He's been solid and he's the one we go with. After he goes out, losing a lot. Can't replace him."

The Pirates jumped on the Bulldogs early Monday. Perryville cleared a ball past midfield that Weibrecht was able to run down between two Notre Dame defenders. Holloway came out of goal to try to corral it, but Weibrecht was able to juke around him and send a soft shot into the open goal just 3:45 into the contest. Weibrecht extended an index finger in the air before the ball even found the net.

"We were ready and we came out hard," Weibrecht said. "We wanted to get one as quick as we could so we had the lead. We knew they were going to be battling the whole time, so if we had the lead, that would give us a little bit of a cushion for the rest of the game."

Notre Dame finally got the equalizer early in the second half. Lynch controlled the ball to the left of the Pirates' goal. He stopped and made a cut, which caused his defender to fall down. Lynch then fired a shot into the far side of the Perryville goal with 34:01 left in the second half. Lynch celebrated by jumping up and down while running back toward midfield.

"It was an awesome feeling," Lynch said. "I was just happy to get something on goal and hopefully it went in. I was fortunate enough for it to find the back of the net. Try to get some momentum change."

The Bulldogs finished their season 17-8 after controlling play for most of the second half and overtime, but they were unable to gain the lead.

"Obviously it's frustrating because this is a great group of kids and a great soccer team," Wittenborn said. "They're a team that could have had the potential to make a nice run in the playoffs. To lose on PKs when I thought we dominated the game is especially tough."

The Pirates advanced to face Sikeston, which defeated Fredericktown 8-0 earlier Monday, in Wednesday's 6 p.m. district title game. But they were content to celebrate for one night.

"It feels amazing," Weibrecht said.