CPHS Boys' Soccer falls 2-1 to Booker T. Washington in PK shootout

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School Boys' Soccer Team (3-4 overall, 0-1 district) traveled to Booker T. Washington High School (4-1, 1-0) for their first district match of the season Tuesday night and played their longest game of the year thus far. The battle went into double-overtime with a lightning delay and eventually ended in a shootout.

The first half saw heavy defense with each team only getting off four shots apiece. All four of the Hornets' shots went wide or high, but Ignacio Garcia was just a tad off, connecting with the top post. Logan Jeffus scored the lone goal of the half with six minutes remaining.

The second half was an offensive melee by the home team, out-shooting the Sandites ten to one. Fortunately for Sand Springs, only four were on goal and only one went in. Grant King tied the game in the 59th minute of regulation. 

The Sandites didn't get off a single shot in either overtime period, but they played outstanding defense, giving up only two shots to King that were well off goal. Following a thirty-minute lightning delay, the second overtime period went the way of the first. Damola Olaniran took the lone shot from forty yards deep, but goalie Edgar Soberano handily pulled in the save.

With the score still tied, the game went to penalty kicks. Dax Hayes, Max Pettit, King, and Alan Velasquez made their shots for the Hornets, but Jaden Weiser, Garcia, Logan Jeffus, and Gustavo Saldana made four for the Sandites to force a sudden-victory shootout.

Olaniran, Henry Allen, and Tim James made the first three goals for Washington, while Alex Hernandez and Kristian Fairchild sank the first two for Sand Springs. Gabe Jeffus's shot was saved, however, and the Hornets notched their first district win.

The Sandites will return to action Friday night in Enid (1-4) for a non-district match at 8:00 p.m.