McDonell/Regis soccer tops Omro in double OT

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By DAVID BOSSICK
david.bossick@lee.net
Thursday, October 30, 2008 10:48 PM CDT

Marc Santolin got his shot, and it was deflected.

Grant Mickesh took a stab at it, but it bounced away.

And to the awaiting foot of Cory Arneson. Arneson dribbled toward the goal and let a shot loose to lift McDonell/Regis to a 3-2 double overtime victory against Omro in a WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal on Kell Field at Casper Park.

It was Arneson’s third goal of the game, and it allowed the Macks to spring to their feet and celebrate while the Foxes fell to the ground, deflated and defeated.

The Foxes, though, didn’t have to climb out of a hole. The Macks did.

Omro took control of the game in the first half and scored two goals, the first just 10 minutes into the game. The second came on corner kick.

Arneson was able to cut the lead in half with a goal with 28:18 showing on the clock as he caught a pass, split two Maroon-clad defenders and raced toward the goal. He let a shot loose and it hit the back of the net.

McDonell/Regis went into the half behind, 2-1, but with the prospect of having a the wind to their backs in the second half.

The Macks had chances by the bunches in the second half, but weren’t able to put the ball in until Arneson scored with 68:21 showing on the clock.

McDonell/Regis lost the coin flip to start the first overtime, allowing Omro to get the wind at its back. Chris Eckes was called upon to make two big saves. Eckes forced one shot to deflect off of the crossbar.

He also shut down Omro’s Ryan Payne as the two dueled one-on-one in front of the McDonell net. Eckes made the save and allowed the Macks to force the second overtime.

McDonell had a couple chances in the second overtime, including getting a penalty kick five yards just outside of the goalie box. The Macks were not able to convert the opportunity.

The finisher came when Santolin took the ball inside the box and fired it for the finish.

Arneson got the goal with 92:18 showing on the clock to wrap the thrilling victory.

McDonell/Regis will play at 11 a.m. Saturday at Portage County Youth Soccer Fields in Stevens Point against Land O’Lakes Conserve. Conserve defeated Washburn in a 4-1 shootout after the regulation and overtimes were tied, 0-0.