Cobbler Boys Soccer lost to Aberdeen in a penalty shootout, ending their season and their chances at taking state.

By: Harrison Byars and Hunter Hufstutler

For the second season in a row, the Central boys soccer team made it to the semifinals for state. During the recent four-day break from school Central High School’s boys soccer lost to Aberdeen in a penalty shootout with a final score of 2-1, finishing in fourth place overall with a record of 8-2-3.

The Golden Eagles managed to score the first goal of the game from a penalty kick with the backup goalie in after Dawson Fairchild recieved a yellow card. Central came back in the second half when Garrett Cole scored a goal to tie the game at 1-1. The two teams remained tied throughout overtime and eventually went into a penalty shootout.

With all the pressure on the ten players chosen to shoot, Central had chosen Garrett Cole, Dawson Fairchild, Jory Stephens, Eli Brink, and Eric Keohane. “Going into the shootouts I was nervous and frustrated,” said Garrett. “Frustration came due to our domination in the second half and not being able to close it out.” Garret took the first penalty shot for Central and scored with ease. He was the only one to score in the shootout. Two of Central’s shooters were unlucky and hit the goal itself. After all the shots had been taken, Aberdeen emerged victorious, scoring two of the shots to Central’s one. “It’s tough to grasp the thought of the season being over and never being able to put on the red jersey again,” Garret stated after the game.

Overall Central had a very good season this year for soccer. The boys team made it to the semifinals for the second year in a row. The semifinals are the farthest the boys’ team has ever gone in State. Sawyer Houchin, a senior at Central, told us, “The season was rough, but we managed to fight through it. We had some simple mistakes but ultimately the team played well and got far. I’m proud to be part of this team and I’m going to miss being able to play with them. I hope next year they can go farther than us.”

“Central will always have a special place in my heart,” Garret concluded. “I couldn’t have asked for a better senior year.”