Late penalty kick lifts Cheboygan soccer to 3-2 victory at Ogemaw
WEST BRANCH – Just over a week ago, the Cheboygan Chiefs were stunned by a late Ogemaw Heights equalizer, which resulted in a 3-3 home tie.
On Wednesday, in a rematch with the Falcons in West Branch, the Chiefs turned the tables by delivering a late winner and capturing a hard-fought 3-2 victory in a girls soccer clash.
After Ogemaw was called for a handball inside the 18-yard box with two minutes remaining, up stepped senior midfielder Cassidy Jewell, who calmly converted the penalty kick to give the Chiefs a 3-2 lead. Unlike the previous game against the Falcons, Cheboygan’s defense held firm late and sealed the triumph.
“(Our defense) did a great job of containing late and holding on, and we really had some quality passes tonight. The girls played with a lot of heart and focus,” said Cheboygan coach Tom Markham. “We’ve been talking about how close games require mental focus and toughness, and so I’m proud of the girls. They worked hard, especially after having a game (at Big Rapids Crossroads on Tuesday night).
“Kudos to Ogemaw, they played tough. Both teams did.”
The Chiefs opened the scoring with a goal from senior midfielder Kenzie Burt that was assisted by Jewell just under 10 minutes into the match, but the Falcons responded with an equalizer from Jada Gilbert with 10:29 before the break. The Chiefs retook the lead right before the half when Burt scored again off an assist from sophomore winger Sammy Harke. The Chiefs held a 2-1 advantage going into halftime.
The Falcons battled back to tie it up after Gilbert struck again with 10:21 left to play, but Jewell’s game-winning PK ended up being the difference.
“We played a tough second half, the girls pressed hard, and (Ogemaw’s) goalkeeper was phenomenal,” Markham said. “We created 21 quality chances, so that was great to see. They were some really good shots.”
Senior goalkeeper Callie Wanke made 12 saves for Cheboygan.
“She kept us in it with some good saves,” Markham said of Wanke.
On Tuesday night, Burt netted a hat trick to help lift Cheboygan to a 6-0 victory at Big Rapids Crossroads. Jewell scored twice for the Chiefs, while sophomore Addy Baldwin recorded her first career varsity goal. Registering assists were Burt (three), Leslie Basham, Jewell and Wanke.
Cheboygan (6-1-3, 6-0-3 Northern Michigan Soccer League) hosts Shepherd on Friday at 5 p.m. It’ll be senior night for the Cheboygan squad.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Late penalty kick lifts Cheboygan soccer to 3-2 victory at Ogemaw
