Bremen beats #6 Marian
SOUTH BEND — You’re exhausted. Spent. You’ve expended all your energy, every iota of gumption; yet, the job isn’t over. What’s more, you’re up against the #6 ranked team in the state. What do you do?
“We said no matter how long it takes us, we fight to the end.”
And the Bremen boys soccer team did just that, in what Coach Mark Yoder called one of the strongest Bremen matches ever.
Over the course of 80 minutes of regulation play, plus 14 minutes of overtime, the Class 2A Sectional 19 semifinal at Northfields Complex in South Bend was not finished.
Despite outplaying the Marian Knights both in terms of possession and shots fired, the Lions endured soccer’s ultimate climax: A penalty kick shootout to decide whether their season would continue.
Again: exhausted. Again: #6 ranked opposition.
Yet: Belief.
“these guys stepped in believing they could do it,” said Yoder, “they’re so confident in PK shootouts, because they believe in each other, and they believe in Dominic Snook, who has done such a great job in goal this year.”
And their faith was justified—snook saved the first two Knights penalty kicks, causing chaos in the stands.
Goals by seniors Eric Ramirez and Lenin Marin-diaz made it 2-1 Lions, when junior Al Byrd stepped up, as the last Bremen player to shoot.
A goal would mean victory; a miss: a possible continuation.
At the flit of the ropes, pandemonium flooded the field — the battle was finally finished.
Bremen will face South Bend Saint Joseph in Saturday’s Sectional championship game at 7p.m. at the same Northfields Complex.
• BREMEN 1(3-1), MISHAWAKA MARIAN 0
Sectional 19 Semifinals
At South Bend (Northfields Complex)
Shots: Bremen 16, Marian 11
Saves: Bremen 6 (Dominic Snook), Marian 4 (Austin Mason)
Fouls: Bremen 10, Marian 10
Corner kicks: Bremen 6, Marian 0
Yellow cards: Bremen 1, Marian 0
Records: Bremen 12-2-1, Marian 9-5-1