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Shawnee boys nearly upset unbeaten Tipp

Photos: Sectional: Shawnee vs. Tipp

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Shawnee keeper Josh Sullivan deflects a penalty kick in overtime during a Division II sectional final Tuesday, Oct. 27, against Tippecanoe at Tecumseh High School. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 11:25 AM Wednesday, October 28, 2009

NEW CARLISLE — Shawnee  High School took unbeaten and top-seeded Tippecanoe as far as you can go in one boys soccer tournament game: 80 minutes of regulation time, 30 minutes of sudden death and then five penalty kicks.

It’s unlikely anyone not from Shawnee thought the Braves had a chance in the Division II sectional final Tuesday, Oct. 27, considering the Red Devils had beat them 7-0 just two weeks earlier.

But the Braves hung in there until the sixth penalty kick when Tipp’s Nathan Banks drilled a shot into the corner. The Braves couldn’t equal it with the next shot, and they lost 5-4 at Tecumseh.

“I’m incredibly proud,” first-year Shawnee coach Brian Solomon said. “These guys have been working hard. The last two or three weeks, we’ve really jelled together as a team. A bounce this way or a bounce that way, a shot off the pole, we had two or three of them in the second half ... the game is all about inches, and unfortunately, we didn’t get a couple of bounces.”

Shawnee (8-11) won its previous game on penalty kicks 3-2 over Indian Lake on Saturday.

Solomon used the same order of kickers in this game, and it was almost good enough.

Prior to the shootout, each team had two goals. Shawnee’s Kedrick Schliep and Tipp’s Cody Conley scored in the first half.

Tipp took the lead at the 19:20 mark of the second half on a goal by Alex Gonzalez. Then Shawnee tied the game with 8:52 to go when a corner kick by Schliep was headed in by P.J. Howell.

Howell nearly gave the Braves the lead in the final minute, but his shot hit off the top of the crossbar.

Throughout the sudden-death periods, Tipp had numerous chances to take the lead, but Shawnee was stingy in front of the goal. Shawnee goalie Justin Sullivan had 20 saves.

The key for the Braves was believing they could win against a Tippecanoe team (14-0-3) that hadn’t allowed a goal in its last five games.

“We had been battling adversity all year,” Solomon said. “It hasn’t been until the last two weeks that we were able to push back against adversity. We got down against Urbana and came back (a 2-1 win in the first round). Indian Lake gave us a good run. We’ve been gaining some confidence, and it showed tonight.”

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What a game! The Braves #7 seed took #1 Tipp all the way. The Braves never gave up, kept stepping up to the challenge. Shawnee's goalie was a BEAST, both in regulation/OT and the shootout. Considering the field/weather conditions Shawnee did an outstanding job! Great job Braves, be proud, you had Tipp on their toes all nite long!!

B. Hosier
10:14 AM, 10/28/2009

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Way to go Braves! We are so proud of the team that you have become. Way to leave it on the field and make your mark as you prepare for 2010. No doubt, Tipp was wondering where this Shawnee team came from but we knew you had it all along. Thanks to our seniors for stepping up and leading.....your hard work did not go unnoticed. Justin Sullivan, you are an animal in the goal, great work. We love you Braves!

G. Massie
7:29 AM, 10/28/2009

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