By Michael Lindsay
One hundred minutes of soccer weren’t enough to determine a winner Tuesday evening as the Livingston Academy Wildcats defeated the Stone Memorial Panthers via penalty kicks in District 7-2A action.
“We hung in there,” said Livingston head coach David Sadler. “We had to create some opportunities and stayed in the game all night. Stone is a very well put-together team.”
The teams entered penalty kicks tied at 3-3 following regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods. Livingston won the penalty kick shootout, 4-2.
“Me and my assistant, David Mann, went over this a few days ago,” said Sadler. “Haden does an excellent job back there and he’s light on his feet. He wants to play the field, but he’s better for us in the goal. He loves to be wherever we need him.”
Waylon Johnson led Livingston with two of his team’s three goals prior to PKs along with one by Jagger Hammock. Stone Memorial’s goals came via Jonathan Warlick, Jared Spicer and Isaiah Richard.
Following a scoreless first half, Stone Memorial struck first with 26:07 remaining in regulation as Jonathan Warlick scored from the right side to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
Livingston responded less than 40 seconds later as Dylan Watson connected on a goal from beyond the midfield line to the game at one goal each with 25:28 remaining in the second half.
“Dylan Watson has a huge leg,” said Sadler. “He was probably 10 yards past midfield and has great range.”
The Wildcats took their first lead of the evening with 16:39 remaining as a rebound found the left foot of Hammock in front of the goal as he finished the shot to give his team a 2-1 advantage.
Stone Memorial tied the contest at 2-2 with 5:30 left in regulation via a Spicer goal from the right side.
Neither team scored in the final 5 minutes, sending the game to overtime tied at 2-2.
Each team scored in extra time as a Richard header off a corner kick gave Stone Memorial a 3-2 advantage with 6:10 left in the opening overtime period.
Johnson answered with a header of his own via a pass from Bryson Mann to tie the game at 3-3 in the second overtime, forcing penalty kicks.
Wildcat keeper Haden Clark successfully saved two shots while Livingston’s Mann, Kenny Beaty, Jackson Lindsay and Tripp Sadler connected on goals to win the shootout, 4-2.
Livingston stays in District 7-2A play as they host DeKalb County on Thursday.
