The Cougars started the match strong and completely dominated the entire first half. The Hawks came out very defensive, looking for the flash goal on the counter-attack, and were absorbing everything that Kennedy could throw at them. The Cougars created numerous chances to score, but could not find a way to get the ball into the back of the Prairie net. The only time they were able to score, senior forward Colton Benhart was ruled to be offside and the goal was disallowed. The match went to the break, tied, 0-0.
In the second half it was more of Kennedy keeping the possession and the ball in the Prairie end of the field. The Hawks continued to defend relentlessly and would not break down enough for Kennedy to score. Regulation ended with the match still tied 0-0.
Overtime was a repeat of the first two halves, but it looked as if the Cougars had finally broken through when senior midfielder Phil Vermie took a free kick from 25 yards out and served the ball right to the top of the six for fellow senior Erik Boyer. Boyer’s header hit the crossbar and bounced down, eventually being covered by the Prairie goalkeeper. While numerous Cougars thought the ball had crossed the goal line, no goal was awarded and the game moved into penalty kicks to decide the match.
Kennedy calmly stepped up and made all four of its kicks, while penalty specialist Ben Feltes (sophomore, goalkeeper) again made his presence felt by forcing a miss on the Hawks second kicker and then sealing the victory with a stop on Prairie’s fourth kicker, giving the Cougars the win, 1-0 (4-2 in PKs).
The win moves Kennedy to 11-0-0 on the season and 7-0 in the MVC. The Cougars will face rival Iowa City West, the #1 ranked team in the state, on Saturday morning at 8:00 am at the Kennedy soccer field. They will also host the #11 ranked Little Hawks of Iowa City High at noon the same day.
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