The Viking Varsity squad lost to Kickapoo 2-0 on Tuesday night, putting them at 6-2 on the season. Minus regular starter Leland Eckstam, Parkview was able to possess the ball well in the first half. In the second minute of the match Tim Griffin received a pass from Morgan Holt into space and Ryan Moses ran him down in the box. Another quick chance game in the 8th minute of the game when Jared Moore beat his defender to the touchline and crossed the ball to Griffin, who struck it just wide. Just five minutes later Moore flicked a ball on to Griffin, who made a beautiful run and then played the ball to Holt, who was able to get a blistering volley off that went just wide of the far post. Chris Tombridge had a great first half for the Chiefs in goal, playing aggressive and showing no fear coming off of his line. In the 20th minute Darren Shaw won a 50/50 ball, played a great ball into space for Matt Medley. Medley beat a defender and crossed a ball to the onrushing Jordan Houseman who headed it just over the bar. Late in the first half the Vikings got another great look when Morgan Holt smashed a ball far post forcing a diving save from Chris Tombridge. In the 34th minute Ryan Moses fouled Tim Griffin outside the box. Matt Medley lined up the opportunity and put it off the crossbar. Malter made a great save in goal at the 37th minute mark when Skylar Russell hit a ball from outside the box and Malter tipped it over the top.
The second half was a different story as the Chiefs got the better of possession and opportunites early on. In the 44th minute Kickapoo broke through when a ball was played into the box and it came back off the left post into the box to an onrushing Lane Chapman, who deposited it easily into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. In the 57th minute off a free kick Ian Kennedy was taken down in the box and a penalty kick was rightly called, and Kennedy put the PK away for a 2-0 final score. Parkview continued to press and in the 71st minute Matt Medley received a nice ball from Tim Griffin and put it just over the crossbar. Malter made a spectacular save for the Vikings in the 76th minute when Ryan Moses smashed a ball from about 20 far post and Malter was forced to dive full extension to put the ball out of play. In the 77th minute Tim Griffin received a ball into space from Morgan Holt and struck the ball far post, but Chris Tombridge dove and tipped the ball just wide. xx x xxxxxxx xxxx xxxx xx xxx xxxxx, xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx, xxxxxxx xxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxx xx xxxxx xx xx. The match was a hard fought battle that saw multiple yellow cards, a large showing of fans from both sides that were quite engaged in the game, and coaches who popped off the bench more than once to make a point. This loss drops the Vikings to a still impressive 6-2 after winning 6 straight before Tuesday.
The News-Leader article on the Tuesday night Parkview vs. Kickapoo can be found here. There is a photo gallery with 18 photos from the News-Leader on another page.
After going down 2-0 in the first half, the Junior Varsity Vikings made a brilliant comeback to tie the game at 2-2. Miscommunication on the back line cost Parkview both goals that they gave up, as players were allowed to run through the defense unmarked, and the Chiefs capitalized on the opportunities. Late in the first half a throw-in found Brian Otradovec, who pushed the ball away from the defender marking his dominate right foot, and struck a left-footed shot that found the back of the net for a 2-1 score. The Vikings continued to attack the goal in the second half, and the defense showed no lasting effects from the first half as they gathered themselves and played a strong second half. Otradovec was able to pick up a loose ball in the box late in the first half and poke it in for the 2-2 tie. The Vikings had a few more opportunities as the last few minutes ticked off the clock, but played conservatively as well in order to secure at least a tie on the Chiefs’ home field.
