Panthers lose rough and tumble championship match at Carlinville Kick-Off Classic
BY AARON OTTIS
SPORTS EDITOR
CARLINVILLE – Despite fighting back from a 2-0 deficit after losing a key senior forward, the Jersey Panthers suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Raymond-Lincolnwood in the championship game of the 2008 Carlinville Kick-Off Classic Saturday.

“Winning or losing is one thing, but I am very proud of how our kids played today,” Jersey head coach Marc Patton said.

Raymond-Lincolnwood scored two goals in the first half, but the Panthers fought back. In the 39th minute, Danny Guerra’s shot was blocked and sent into the corner. Brendan Kimble chased the ball and centered it, pulling the Lancers keeper out of position and giving Jon Harmon a clean shot to put the score at 2-1. Max Straubhaar notched the assist for an extra touch that pushed the ball to Harmon.

Justin Meredith tied the game at 2-2 with a beautiful header off the right side. Guerra had the assist.

Raymond-Lincolnwood battled back, and scored the eventual game winner in the 71st minute.

Jersey didn’t go without an opportunity to force overtime. The Panthers had four corner kicks in the final five minutes of play, but were unable to score.

“Part of that was Pat Madson usually takes our corners from the left side. He’s left footed, so it is easier to bend those into the goal,” Patton said. Madson left the match near the end of the first half with a knee injury. He was tackled hard, and landed forcefully on his shoulders.

“Danny was forced to take those since Pat was out. Three of the four of those were from the left side. They were good balls,” Patton continued. “Having Guerra taking the corner also removes him from the box, and Raymond-Lincolnwood had dropped a forward to load nine players in the box. We were hoping to get that pinball effect and have one bounce our way, it just didn’t happen this time.”

The Lancers’ physical style of play set the tone of the match. Raymond-Lincolnwood was issued three yellow cards within the first 20 minutes of play. Jersey’s defense, especially senior Mark Rowling as he drew the forward assignment for most of the game, was forced to double and triple team deep in the box.

“We played tough and kept our composure. We didn’t take it. We played the game in the right way. We were happy with the effort,” Patton said. “I would have liked to come out with the win, but it just wasn’t in the cards today.”

Lincolnwood took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute of the match. Lincolnwood then received the third of those three yellow cards, and three starters left the contest momentarily. The Lancers’ second goal came in the 25th minute. Lincolnwood sent a long shot attempt and Jersey keeper Ethan Bailey came off the goal line to make the stop, but had the ball pass through his hands and squirt through his legs, toward the open goal.

An unmarked midfielder, who had been trailing the play, reached the loose ball and drilled it into the net.

After that second goal, Jersey was forced to play more cautiously for the remainder of the half, with seniors Jon Harmon and Danny Guerra pressing to control the game’s tempo and give the Panthers some open shots. Jersey’s defense also stepped up to provide Bailey with better protection.

“We hung in there on defense,” Patton said. “We had a few balls that we couldn’t clear out. Some didn’t lead to goals, some of them did. We can’t make those mistakes against good teams like this. Ethan had a bad handle on that second goal. When you look at that, you figure that we should have walked away with a win because we made two mistakes that led directly to a goal. But at the same time, you have to play the game and that is just part of it.”

Patton previously said this season that Jersey’s defense is a “work in progress,” and the players just need some time to learn each other’s styles and skills. Facing tough competition at Carlinville has started to pay off already. The group is functioning better as a unit, allowing the midfield more freedom.

Rowling’s performance was key to the Panthers’ comeback on Saturday. By effectively shutting down Lincolnwood’s dominant forward, Jersey was able to concentrate on scoring some goals without falling further behind.

“To have him step in and play at this level today, against top-level competition, was great,” Patton said. Rowling is returning to soccer after many years away, and his athleticism helped him earn a starting spot.

“He’s hung back there. He asks questions and pays attention to how the other, more experienced guys approach the game,” Patton explained. “There are a lot of similarities between soccer defense and basketball defense, so that has helped me find common ground to talk about.”

Jersey is now 4-2 overall, 0-1 in MVC play. The Panthers faced Mascoutah Tuesday night, and will play Highland on Thursday. Jersey is without Mark Rowling, who suffered a high ankle sprain. Madson is out with his knee injury, and Garrett Meisner is playing, but has two broken toes and an ankle sprain.

Senior Jon Harmon (11) scored one goal in the championship game. Aaron Ottis/thejcstar.com