How collective resilience was displayed by Harrison boys soccer to win the IHSAA 3A regional title in penalty kicks.
KOKOMO — Harrison coach Bryan Clouse didn't hesitate after 90 minutes of regulation and 14 minutes of overtime left his team without a conclusion in the IHSAA regional championship against Homestead.
Penalty kicks would set the stage for Harrison as it had 366 days ago against Hamilton Southeastern.
But the goalkeeper was different with Clouse making the switch of junior Timmy Schneider, the starter from last year's state championship team and using sophomore Marshall Crowell.
Clouse's faith in Crowell paid off.
Crowell saved the first penalty kick and the row of Joey McKenna, Simon Ailor, Connor Lange and Adan Robles proved enough to beat Homestead 2-2 (4-2 on penalty kicks) to capture the 3A regional title send Harrison to the IHSAA semi-state championship for a second straight year.
"We do this every day at practice," Crowell said. "I get used to saving them in practice and there's a punishment for the loser."
Harrison (17-1-3) will play South Bend Adams next Saturday at Chesterton at 5 p.m.
A physical affair for the Raiders who saw senior forward Connor Lange get accidentally head butted and had to briefly leave the game after blood gushed from his nose.
Harrison took an early lead after Robles scored in the 17th minute on an assist from Lange.
The lead would be brief with junior Jack Zeiger netting a free kick goal from 20 yards out in the 22nd minute.
Freshman Dinari Beasley snaked a shot past Crowell in the 49th minute and Harrison trailed 2-1.
Harrison picked up its play in the midfield and goal scoring opportunites began appearing.
"We have desire," Robles said. "The desire to win for each other, to keep moving on, win game by game to reach the end goal of reaching that state title."
Harrison connected passes and benefited from senior midfielder Frankie Caceras manuvering against Homestead's defense.
Caceras crossed a shot from 30 yards out and in the process of being cleared, was accidentally kicked into the net by Homestead. An own goal by Homestead credited to Caceras who had hit the crossbar in overtime as well.
"We just want to win and we push," Caceras said. "Every time I play, it's with passion."
Caceras had his penalty kick attempt saved only to be picked up by Robles, Ailor, Lange and McKenna who netted the match clinching shot to send Harrison celebrating on its ride back home to West Lafayette.
"Nothing surprises me anymore with this team because we've been through it all," Clouse said.
IHSAA regional results:
- 2A boys regional: Guerin Catholic 6, West Lafayette 0
- 1A girls regional: Lapel 1, Faith Christian 0
- 1A boys regional: Covenant Christian 2, Faith Christian 1
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Harrison outlasts Homestead in penalty kicks for IHSAA 3A regional title
Category: General Sports
