The rivalry between the Elmore County High School and Holtville soccer programs continued Tuesday night at 17 Springs.
The game was knotted at one goal apiece at the half and at three goals each at the end of regulation.Â
But it was ECHS junior striker Asher Justice who was the hero of the day. Justice received the ball at midfield and split defenders before taking a shot and scoring the winning goal. It is the second time ECHS has beat Holtville this season.Â
“This is the second time it's come down to overtime with this team,” ECHS coach Jeff Bracknell
said. “We played well. I'm glad to get the win.”Â
Holtville Coach Luke Fussell said his team played hard in the game.
“It’s just these things didn’t go our way,” Fussell said. “That's how it is sometimes, but I'm proud of our guys. I'm proud of how we kept playing.”
ECHS came out in the second half and controlled the ball. Panther junior Tate McNeely brought the ball up the right sideline and centered the ball for a Justice header into the net.
But Holtville came back minutes later and Tyler Colt Wesson found a hole in the Panther defense to place the ball in for the score. Wesson scored again with 12 minutes to go in regulation.
With just under three minutes left in regulation, Logan Collier found the net for ECHS to tie the game at 3.
Justice would finish the Bulldogs off in overtime.
The Bulldogs and Panthers are in a three-way race with Brewbaker Tech for first, second and third in the area. The first two get into the playoffs and who goes to the postseason will be determined by a Thursday game when Holtville travels to play Brew Tech.
ECHS plays Tallassee on Thursday night and Valley on Monday.
