Manhattan shocks Rural

SCOTT SEWELL/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Manhattan's Jeff Pavelka (17) defends Washburn Rural's Kyle O'Neal (15) as O'Neal tries to score during Thursday's regional soccer action at Washburn Rural. Manhattan upset Washburn Rural, 4-3.

Indians win shootout, 4-3

CITY SCORES

Class 6A

Manhattan 4, Washburn Rural 3, SO

Topeka High 2, Free State 1, 2OT

Class 5A

Salina Central 2, Seaman 0

Shawnee Heights 4, Ottawa 0

Class 4A

Hayden 6, Immaculata 5, OT

By Paul Carr

SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

The perfect season is over.

After a year replete with highs, Washburn Rural's undefeated dream season reached its nadir Thursday night at home, as Manhattan defeated the Junior Blues, 4-3, in a penalty kick shootout for the regional championship.

Following a scoreless first half, Rural, ranked first in Class 6A, struck first early in the second half when senior Kyle O'Neal nodded down a cross to Nick Madden, who drilled it past Indian keeper Austin Shankweiler.

Less than three minutes later, Manhattan responded in the form of Nathan Garcia. The senior forward headed a Derek Bembry pass off the crossbar, and it then ricocheted off goalie Adam Sokolowski to level the score.

Ten minutes after that, the Indians' Nick Welle took a 25-yard free kick from the left side before the defense was set, and he found the top right corner of the net to give Manhattan a lead.

The final goal came in classic Washburn Rural fashion as senior Tom Lobell headed a Tyler Alexander cross backward by the keeper to tie the game with 15 minutes left.

After regulation and four overtimes ended, the score remained even, which dictated a shootout. Rural junior Kyle Golden skied his attempt high and right, and after Manhattan nailed its first four efforts, G.T. Coe's miss clinched a shocking victory for the Indians, who have now won nine straight since losing by a goal to Rural in late September.

"We knew we could beat them because we played with them before," said Manhattan head coach Doug Desmarteau. "But I was most impressed with how my guys got down a goal and fought back to tie it up and hold (Rural) the rest of the game."

Desmarteau's seemingly dictatorial practice techniques paid off as his team won the regional title and advanced to the state quarterfinals.

"The only way to (practice penalty kicks) is to give them punishment and make them run," said a giddy Desmarteau. "They don't like it, but it worked out well for us."

On the other side, Washburn Rural saw its quest for a second state title in three years dashed.

"I told my kids to keep their heads up." said Rural head coach Lionel Suarez. "We had a great season, and we played well all year, but it's obviously disappointing."

Manhattan (11-5) 0 2 0 0 0 0 --- 2 (4)Washburn Rural (17-1) 0 2 0 0 0 0 --- 2 (3) Manhattan --- Goals: Garcia, Welle. Assist: Bembry. Penalty kicks: Oviatt, Garcia, Strong, Bembry.

Washburn Rural --- Goals: Madden, Lobell. Assists: O'Neal, Alexander. PKs: O'Neal, Little, Madden.

Copyright 2004
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