Fonder’s OT goal sends Owen J. Roberts over Haven

BUCKTOWN » It could have been a deflating moment.

Owen J. Roberts saw its chance for a regulation-time victory over Strath Haven dashed when the Panthers forced a tie with five seconds left in regularion of their District 1 Class 4A playoff game Tuesday.

Instead, the Wildcats did what they had done since the game’s 64th minute: Forged ahead for a 3-2 victory at Wildcat Stadium.

Josh Fonder’s second goal of the night was the differencemaker. The junior midfielder headed a cross from Gavin Zorn into the net, ending the suddendeath affair at the 3:28 mark in overtime to move ahead in the postseason.

“It burns a lot,” Fonder said of seeing Strath Haven force the contest into overtime that close to the end of regulation. “It’s hard to see them score with five seconds left.”

It was just as hard for Strath Haven to see their two comeback goals not result in an openinground victory.

The Central League representatives twice answered the Wildcats within five minutes of the locals scoring their regulationtime goals, but they were unable to forge ahead in the 12 overtime minutes played.

“This was a game where both teams had waves of attacks,” Panther head coach Ryan O’Neil said after seeing his 17th-seeded club finish the year with a 12-7 record. “That’s the way a lot of good playoff games go.

“It was kind of back and forth. That’s playoff soccer.”

The OJR defense — headed by the play of seniors like Matt Pron and Gavin Delahaye in front of goalkeeper Ryan Walker, and Graham Pugh in the midfield — collaborated with Walker on limiting SH to 10 shots on goal and three corner kick.

The Wildcats had a shutout going until the 11:35 mark in the game, when Luke Mutz angled a shot into the net from the right side.

The Panthers’ other goal came from Josh Mason, who converted from the left side after the visitors were unable to capitalize on a situation where Walker was out of the net trying to make a stop with 40 seconds left. Mason, the converted forward playing defense this season, refound that scoring touch to put the Panthers back on level tems.

For the game, Roberts outshot the Panthers 14-10 while both teams had three corners apiece. Walker had 11 saves in goal while Strath Haven’s goalkeeping tandem of Brett Burns and Noel Atsaves combined for 11 stops.

“I’m super proud of the kids,” O’Neil said. “Tying a game with five seconds left is not easy.”