Austen Parker was a wall for Deer Creek as the Antlers denied Heritage Hall’s bid for a third-straight OSSAA Class 5A State Championship in boys soccer. The senior goalkeeper recorded three straight saves during a penalty shootout that Deer Creek would go on to win 3-1 after a 2-2 draw over 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of extra time action.
The Chargers began the game on the front foot, with Connor McGinnis taking the first shot of the game, but it was deflected out for a corner kick that led to nothing. Slowly, but surely, the Antlers began to find their footing in the game. However, it was almost all for naught as a header off a corner kick for Heritage Hall clipped the underside of the crossbar and looked to have crossed the goal line. Unfortunately for the Chargers, the referee waved it off and play swiftly resumed.
With a new life, Deer Creek began to seize the initiative in the championship affair. Earning a couple of yellow cards by Matt Puig and Stormy Arledge, the Antlers showed a gritty determination to take the game to the defending champions. Tevin McDaniel was unfazed, however, and almost put the Chargers up 1-0 against the run of play, but he was judged offside.
Dodging a second bullet, the Antlers were determined to make it count. A goal line scramble in the box off a corner proved just the chance the visitors needed. Pouncing on the squirming ball, an opportunistic freshman Chris Smirlis was able to poke the ball over the line to open the scoring just one minute away from halftime.
Heritage Hall refused to go quietly, and were able to draw level shortly after the restart off a failed clearance by DCHS. With the ball rolling to Calon Woodson 25 yards out from goal, the defender sent a low, driving effort into the bottom left corner of Parker’s goal.
After several marauding runs down the right flank, Carter Noble finally executed like he had been threatening to do all game. Streaking down the right side, he latched on to the ball on the fast break, dribbling past two defenders in the process. As Gavin Gordon came out to shut down the threat, Noble was able to spot Puig making a parallel run and was able to square the ball to Puig. From there it was an easy matter of Puig calmly slotting the ball into the goal to retake the advantage 2-1.
The lead, however, was short lived. McDaniel had displayed his long throw skills throughout the game, and the Chargers were finally able to capitalize. Some panicked defending by the Antlers saw the ball roll out to McDaniel after the throw, and though his shot was not on target, a fortunate rebound off a Deer Creek defender resulted in an own goal and a 2-2 tie. Regulation expired shortly after, and the game was headed to golden goal.
Midway through the first half of extra time, Jaxon Pitt looked to be golden, finding joy down the right flank and firing a shot that looked destined for the upper right corner of the goal. Gordon proved equal to the shot, however, and pushed it out to keep the score level. On the other end, Garrett McLaughlin sent a low effort towards Deer Creek’s goal, but Parker was able to smother the shot. Shortly after, the first period ended.
Upon the restart, McGinnis employed some skillful dribbling to get between the lines for Deer Creek, but his effort dribbled harmlessly into the waiting arms of Parker. An up-and-down battled took place soon after, with both midfields getting exploited.
Eventually, a misjudged ball bounced over the heads of the Antlers, and a tireless McDaniel was able to get on the end of it with just Parker to beat. Though Parker was unable to get a hand on the ball, he was able to come out enough to force the on-rushing forward into pushing his effort just wide of the goal. With no goal to break the deadlock, the teams went to a penalty shootout to decide the champion.
Shootouts are sure to provide high drama, and the tension was palpable in the stands. Heritage Hall took the first kick, and was able to put it past Parker despite the keeper guessing the right direction. Deer Creek also converted on their first attempt.
Parker, oozing confidence after several stellar saves throughout the game, showed lightning-quick reflexes as he saved the next two attempts by the Chargers. His teammates repaid his efforts by converting their next two shots for a 3-1 advantage.
Needing to convert on their fourth shot, the Chargers’ title dreams were fading fast. Showing he was equal yet again to the task before him, Parker answered the call brilliantly as he picked up his third straight penalty saved to give the Antlers the 5A State Championship.
Deer Creek certainly sent their four graduating seniors out in style. After waiting an extra two days due to inclement weather, the result proved all the Antlers could hope for, especially as they got to avenge a loss in the 2014 edition of the state tournament.