March 29, 2024

Well-timed goal gives Newton OT win

BOONE — Stressing to his team that it only takes one shot to win the game, Newton head coach Sackda Viravong admitted he never thought the winning goal would come the way it did for the Cardinals in Friday night’s 3-2 overtime road victory.

Newton had allowed a 2-1 lead slip away against host Boone. The Toreadors captialized on a miscue by Newton deep in Newton’s terroritory to knot the game at 2-all with 14 minutes remaining in regulation.

Viravong said the pace of the game quickened in the final two minutes of regulation, but no goals were scored. The Cardinals and Toreadors moved into overtime — two 10-minute halves.

“There was about four minutes left in the second half of overtime. We had a throw-in on the attacking side of the field,” Viravong said. “Mike McCormick threw the ball in to the near post. He threw it high enough that when Chandler Sturtz came charging over from the far post, Chandler went up and headed the ball into the net.

“But, I didn’t see it. I was looking at the clock and making mental notes of who I’d use in the shootout,” Viravong added with a laugh. “A great goal for us and I didn’t see it.”

The 3-2 win allowed Newton to even its overall mark at 3-3. The Cardinals take a 1-1 record into Little Hawkeye Conference play at Knoxville Tuesday.

At Boone, McCormick had his first goal assist of the night in the first half. He made the pass up front to Nathan Moorman, who scored. The Cardinals led 1-0 at halftime.

Boone tied the game on a penalty kick at the 26:12 mark of the second half. Newton responded with a direct-kick goal by Josh Ventling, two minutes later.

“We had the 2-1 lead and they were pressuring us around our goal. We had the ball and  we made a mental mistake. Instead of clearing the ball, we tried to pass it out and they were there to take it away and score,” Viravong said. “Their two goals came on our mistakes. We can correct those types of mistakes.”

Newton’s Griffin Engel was credited with five saves in goal.

Viravong said the Cardinals played a pretty good first half. He said they were connecting passes and being aggressive on offense. He said Newton finsihed with 18 shots on goal.

Viravong said Knoxville plays a similar style of soccer as Boone. He said the Cardinals needed to play their game and manage the game.