Trojans knock off Wildcats in shootout

Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium provided an electric environment for soccer fans. Unfortunately for El Dorado's varsity boys, the Hot Springs Trojans were able to travel back to Garland County with the squeakiest of victories, winning 9-8 in a shootout.

Despite the Trojans controlling most of the possession early on in the first half and getting an early goal, El Dorado re-grouped and freshman Ben Khoung equalized with a strike the Hot

Springs keeper couldn't prevent from going through his own legs and into the net.

Khoung then hit a quality strike on a bouncing ball across the top of the box and sent a laser into the upper left side of the goal.

"It was an amazingly high-quality shot," said El Dorado coach Rex Hayes.

The second half saw the Trojans get an equalizer to level the score at 2-2. Soon afterwards Khoung received his second yellow card and was therefore sent off the field, leaving El Dorado to play the rest of the match with only 10 players. With 22 minutes left to play in the second half, Hot Springs took a 3-2 lead by splitting El Dorado's defense and sending a low shot into the bottom left of the net.

Despite being down a man, the Wildcats continued battling and earned a direct kick at approximately 40 yards out from goal. Junior Andrew Lowrey sent a perfectly placed ball onto frame and through the keeper's hands to equalize at 3-3 with the remainder of the half a stalemate.

The ensuing penalty kick shootout saw Jadon Cunningham, Ben Humphreys, Patrick Sixbey, Bradley Claypoole and Alex Flores all convert their attempts.

A tremendous save by keeper K.J.Thomas allowed the Wildcats to stay alive and go on to the sudden death portion of kicks.

However, the Trojans were able to outlast the Cats and left Union County with a 9-8 victory.

"I was proud of our guys tonight even though we didn't get the win,” said Hayes.

“Having to play a man down for a large part of the second half and earning a goal was impressive. Our players should be gaining confidence in themselves and their ability to overcome."

The Wildcats and Lady Cats will travel to Texarkana Friday night.