Tecumseh Boys Soccer vs. Xenia High School

Sunday, 23 Oct 05

Varsity

If anyone characterized Tecumseh High School Boys Soccer as a “second half team,” they could hardly be faulted. The Arrows well earned that description in their Oct. 23 Sectional Finals game against the Buccaneers of Xenia High School. The Arrows waited till more than midway through the second period of play to gain scoring momentum in the 2-2 tied-up matches, ultimately pulling ahead of the Bucs to win 4-2.

The Bucs were fresh off a 3-0 drubbing of Springfield North on Oct. 19 in the first round of tournament play. Being a seeded team, the Arrows drew a bye and automatically advanced to the second round to play Xenia.

Coach Pat Marianne’s Xenia 11 were 5-12-0 on the season; Tecumseh’s stats tallied up to 13-3-0.

The Arrows vaulted into the lead early in the first half when at 35:01, junior Jonathan Nonnenmacher’s feed to senior Justin Slone brought scoring results. Collecting the ball, Slone slickly worked down the right touchline to the Bucs’ goal. Although well positioned for the attack, Xenia goalie Alex Kalter, a senior, couldn’t arrest Slone’s shot.

Tecumseh 1, Xenia 0.

The Buccaneers, true to their team’s nickname, pirated a goal from the Arrows less than four minutes later at 31:55 to tie-up the match.

Tecumseh 1, Xenia 1.

Next up, it was Xenia’s turn to become the lead team. A scoring opportunity came the Bucs’ way with just 3:56 remaining in the first half. Not squandering the gift handed them by the Arrows, Xenia earned scoreboard credit for the second time.

Tecumseh 1, Xenia 2.

If the Buccaneers thought they could run out the clock and go into the halftime interval sitting on a 1 goal lead, Tecumseh’s senior Noah Mehaffie vetoed that idea with his foot skills. With only 3 minutes left in the half and aided by a Justin Slone assist, Mehaffie brought the Xenia net into his kicking crosshairs. His booming shot pushed past Xenia goalie Kalter to tie-up the contest for the second time.

Tecumseh 2, Xenia 2.

Tecumseh revved up their playing tempo in the contest’s second half. Energized at 18:19 by his team’s new-found pace, the Arrows’ Jonathan Nonnenmacher paired up with Justin Slone to pillage the Bucs’ net. Nonnenmacher swept in on Xenia goalkeeper Alex Kalter and unleashed a shot to goal that Kalter couldn’t close down.

Tecumseh 3, Xenia 2.

With Tecumseh in the lead by a single point, Noah Mehaffie provided the Arrows with the insurance goal they sought. Operating off a senior Derek Fackler direct kick that efficiently dispatched the ball to the Xenia goalmouth, Mehaffie took to the air and headed the ball into the Xenia net.

Final Score: Tecumseh 4, Xenia 2.