Senior night at Neuqua Valley as the Wildcats host Naperville Central. Both teams winless in the DVC up to this point and looking to keep pace with Naperville North.
First Half
The young Wildcats have struggled to get the ball in the net this year, but they have a great chance early as Jaison Chisnell goes between the legs to find Ryan Matthews, but Central keeper Ethan Gentile makes the sliding save.
Later in the first half, Neuqua with a free kick, Owen Jarrell gets a knee on it, but the ball dies right in front of Ryan Matthews, but he’s a bit too amped up from point blank range as the ball sails over the net.
Neuqua playing with the wind in the first half leading to many opportunities, Ryan Matthews with a pass to the head of Jaison Chisnell, but again Gentile is there for the save. Scoreless ballgame at the half.
Second Half
2nd half, Naperville Central playing with the wind now, Owen Jarrell with a free kick from mid field, he places it well but Evan Lueckhoff can’t gather his footing in time to get a shot off, still zeroes across the board.
A few minutes later, Jack Georgi on a breakaway, but Evan Lueckhoff makes up for his miscue with a brilliant diving tackle to keep Neuqua off the scoreboard.
Later in the half, Redhawks back on the attack and the ball bounces between multiple players, nobody can gain control until eventually the Neuqua defense clears it out of harms way.
Under five minutes to play and Akul Dachepalli with the ball down the far sideline, he lofts a beautiful pass to Jaison Chisnell for the header but Caden Redpath tracks the ball and makes the save. We head to overtime, still without a score.
Over Time
In the first OT, Mitch Becker with a long throw in, Evan Lueckhoff with a header that goes off the face of Luke Molnar, the NV goalie shakes it off and slaps the ball away, keeping the score tied. Another close call.
Near the end of the first Overtime, Owen Jarrell with another free kick, it finds the head of Lueckhoff before being deflected by Tyler Henderson. Molnar eventually snags it and makes the save.
Time winding down in the second overtime. Jack Bella with a shot on net, Caden Redpath slaps the ball away, the final chance for Neuqua Valley sails over the crossbar as this ball game ends in a very hard fought scoreless tie.
Check out other soccer highlights in our Boys Sports Highlight.
