On Friday night undefeated and host Miller City was looking for win 6 while Continental Boys soccer were looking for win #2 out of out of 5 decisions. At the start it looked like the Pirates had the advantage. Later the Pirates had an answer for all Wildcats but with the last one in the waning minutes proved to be the difference. The Pirates had a great opportunity 14 minutes into the game to score as they had the ball in front of the net poised to score but it was cleared by the Wildcats. In the next 10 minutes the Pirates had 3 free kicks in the Miller City half but could not convert any of them into goals. The Wildcats had a free kick in the Pirates half with 9:30 to go in the half but it was saved by the Pirate goalie. With 8:23 left in the half the Wildcats put 1 on the scoreboard as they converted a throw-in to the center of the box for a score. Wildcats 1-0. 33 seconds later the Pirates would tie it up when a free kick from over midfield to the center of the goal bounced off the Wildcat goalie and was kicked in by Hunter Varner. Pirates 1, Wildcats 1 at half.
The second half saw the Wildcats score off a scrum in front of the goal with the Wildcats getting off 3 shots with the third one going in with 37:32 left. To date, Miller City had given up 2 goals all year (in 5 games) so it would take a strong Pirate effort to tie. The Pirates were up to the task with 19:26 left when Braxton Stegbauer received a short kick off a corner kick and dribbled along the end line to take on the goalie one-on-one. Stegbauer converted for the Pirates. 2 all tie. It looked like a tie was in the making but the Wildcats captured the winning goal with 2:54 left when they scored a transition goal. Wildcats 3-2 final.
Braxton Stegabauer and Hunter Varner both scored 1 goal for the Pirates.
Jayden Pitney started in the goal for the Pirates and had 3 saves while Collin Hammond also had 3 saves in relief. Miller City had 9 shots on goal to the Pirates 7 and also had a 5-2 advantage on corner kicks.
Continental falls to 1-3-1 (0-1 PCL) and will travel to Lima Temple Christian on Tuesday. Miller City improves to 6-0 (1-0 PCL). Miller City won the JV game 1-0.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
