WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. ? The Seahawks of Northwood defeated Embry-Riddle on penalty kicks (6-5) in The Sun Conference semifinal match. The Eagles finish their 2008 season with an overall record of 9-6-4.
The first half started slow, with both teams tyring to find a consistent rhythm of play. There was a 15 minute period in which the Eagles dominated possession, but they could not get the shots to fall.
Their best opportunity to score came in the 23rd minute after a corner kick from AJ Barrett was headed down by JL Wilson. The Seahawks defense cleared the ball, but Richard Genge was there to collect it and send a pass back into the box. Ryan Woods hit a hard shot, but the ball drifted just wide of the net.
The Seahawks increased their pace late in the first period, taking four shots in a five minute span. Northwood was awarded a free kick with 1:05 remaining on the clock. Anders Sulisalo sent the ball to the edge of the box to find Joonas Siikala on the far post. The Seahawks' leading scorer drove a shot at goalkeeper Viktor Bergstrand, who got a touch on the ball, but it got past him and fell into the back of the net.
The Eagles had the advantage from the very start of the second half. They moved the ball well, keeping it inside Seahawk territory. Northwood was able to answer with a few strong counterattacks, but the defensive unit of Embry-Riddle played tough to keep them from increasing the lead.
In the 82nd minute, Michael Donald charged down the field, beat his defender and then sent a ball inside to find Sam Litchfield standing just a few feet off the goal line. Litch drove a shot past Seahawks' goalkeeper Andy Robertson to tie the game at one goal apiece.
A few minutes after the Eagles' goal, Siikala had a breakaway down the center of the pitch, but Viktor Bergstrand reacted well and collected the save.
The remaining eight minutes elapsed with no more goals being scored, resulting in overtime. The teams battled for 20 more minutes, with Northwood holding a 5-1 advantage in shots, but neither team could find the back of the net.
As post season rules go, the fate of this game would be decided by penalty kicks. The teams lined up at half-field as players from each squad stepped out to the line. Embry-Riddle made their first two shots, as did Northwood. Robertson saved the third shot from Embry-RIddle, while Northwood put their third one in the back of the net. The Eagles missed the fourth penalty and then made their fifth, but Bergstrand came up with two brilliant saves to keep the Blue and Gold alive.
With a tie score (3-3) at the end of five shots, the game went into a sudden death penalty situation. The Eagles and Seahawks both converted on their first two shots, but the third one for Embry-Riddle was not so lucky. Northwood put their final penalty in the back of the net, giving them the victory.
This game also marked the final contest for seniors Joe Yoffe, AJ Barrett, Richard Genge and Peter Masters, who have contributed four incredible years to the Embry-Riddle men's soccer program.
