REED CITY — It was bonus soccer action for Reed City fans Wednesday.
But the outcome from a longer game wasn’t what they wanted to see.
The Coyotes (2-7) tied Kent City 2-2 after 80 minutes of regulation in the Central State Activities Association battle on Wednesday. After a pair of 10-minute overtimes, the game was still tied. After the shootout, Kent City clinched it after four rounds with a 2-0 lead to take the victory.
Kent City (1-5), took a 1-0 lead in the first half on Abel Diaz’s goal. Miguel Arechiga notched Kent City’s second goal in the second half. But freshman Ethan Maddox scored both Reed City goals to tie the game. His tying goal came 16:57 into the second half.
“We knew it would be a close game,” Kent City coach Ed Hilton said. “In the past, it’s always been close. Our team is jelling well.”
Both teams had golden opportunities in overtime including Maddox whose penalty shot was stopped by Eagle keeper Juan Salas.
“I owe him something for that,” Hilton said. “Juan did a fantastic job. We’ve been working the possession game. That’s what we’ve been trying to do, and get them to work more possessions, keep the ball and have the opportunity to score. It’s paying off.”
The game went four rounds of shootouts. But Salas stopped all four Reed City shots. Diaz’s goal in the fourth round gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead and ended the game.
Maddox was disappointed he didn’t convert late in regulation.
“He was all shook up on that, but he’s a freshman,” Reed City coach Doug Emington said. “I told him we wouldn’t have been been in the overtime if he didn’t score.”
Maddox has seven goals this season.
“This was one of the better games the team and I have played,” Maddox said. “Our goal is to get them next time.”
Silas Schultz and Hunter Diehl were goalkeepers for the Coyotes.
“We haven’t been in shootouts (this year),” Emington said. “We’ve been giving up six goals a game. Our goal was to cut that down. We certainly did that.”
Reed City is at Newaygo on Wednesday in CSAA action.
