Bulldogs lose days after thrilling victory
By Erik Buchinger
The No. 4 seed New London boys’ soccer team lost to Mosinee 2-1 in the regional title game to end the Bulldogs’ season on Monday, Oct. 22.
A few days before, the Bulldogs defeated fifth-seed Amherst/Iola-Scandinavia in a shootout on Thursday, Oct. 18.
After regulation, two 10-minute overtimes went scoreless despite the Bulldogs hitting the post with a shot with about one second remaining in the first overtime session.
New London won 6-5 in penalty kick shootouts to advance to the regional title game.
Bulldogs’ goalkeeper Sam Janke described what he looks for when trying to stop a penalty kick.
“I know it’s cliché but you can’t explain it, but generally I guess where the ball is placed,” Janke said. “If it’s closer to the left, generally they go to the left. It’s really luck but there’s skill involved obviously.”
New London’s Garret Locy kicked the game-winner to advance the Bulldogs to the regional championship.
“I was really nervous,” Locy said. “I thought I was going to sky it. Even when I kicked it, I was like, ‘Wow I just skied that,’ and somehow it went in and I’m happy it did.”
Locy talked about the feeling after he saw the ball hit the back of the net.
“You can’t describe it,” Locy said. “With your teammates rushing at you, you know you just won the game for them and it’s unbelievable.”
New London held a 2-0 lead after a goal from Tucker Huebner, assisted by David Piotter, and Daniel Olea scored on a penalty kick.
Amherst/Iola-Scandinavia added a goal late in the first half and tied the game in the 63rd minute.
The Bulldogs finished with 15 shots on goal, and Janke had five saves.