By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden veteran boys soccer coach Klaus Kreutzer knew his Wildcats had plenty of opportunities to end Tuesday's home non-league game against St. Mary's Academy in regulation.
But having endured a stretch of six straight games without a win, Kreutzer and his Wildcats were happy with putting in a little overtime if it meant getting back on track.
Hayden senior Lane Neuman (1), who scored the game's first goal, chases down a loose ball in the Wildcats' 2-1 overtime soccer win over St. Mary's Academy Tuesday at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
And that's exactly what happened, with Hayden and St. Mary's Academy going to overtime tied at 1-1 before senior Easton Blosser scored the game-winning goal at the 8:03 mark of the extra session off an assist from junior Tagen Rodriguez as the Wildcats improved to 4-5-1 on the season with the 2-1 victory.
"I thought offensively we created things and it was a good win,'' Kreutzer said. "We should have finished during the second half. I think we had plenty of opportunities and for me it's creating the opportunities. That's important, but we're getting towards the end of the season. We have to figure out how to finish.''
Hayden junior Victor Rodriguez (12), who had an assist in the game, beats St. Mary's Academy's Xavier Konkel to the ball in Tuesday's 2-1 overtime Wildcat soccer win. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden junior Tagen Rodriguez (10), who had the game-winning assist in the Wildcats' 2-1 overtime win over St. Mary's Academy, battles Crusager Bob Awerkamp for a loose ball. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden drew first blood with 5:11 remaining in the first half off an assist from junior Victor Rodriguez and the Wildcats' 1-0 advantage held up through haftime and well into the second half before junior Placid Maradona scored at the 27:13 mark to tie the game for the Crusaders (6-5-0).
Neither team was able to find the back of the net over the remainder of regulation but it only took the Wildcats only 1:57 of the 10-minute first overtime period to end the contest.
"I think it's good for their morale and a win's a win, even if it's ugly sometimes,'' Kreutzer said.
Hayden will be on the road Thursday for a 6:15 p.m. non-league contest at city rival Seaman.
HAYDEN 2, ST. MARY'S ACADEMY 1 (OT)
St. Mary's Academy 0 1 0 -- 1
Hayden 1 0 1 -- 2
St. Mary's Academy -- Goal: Placid Maradona.
Hayden -- Goals: Lane Neuman, Easton Blosser. Assists: Victor Rodriguez, Tagen Rodriguez.
