Nothing got settled Tuesday at Kiggins Bowl in a boys soccer showdown for first place in the 4A Greater St. Helens League.
And that left the Skyview Storm and Heritage Timberwolves a little bit frustrated.
Both teams had their chances to escape with a victory. Instead, they settled on a 1-1 draw.
“There were a lot of opportunities for either team,” Heritage coach Bryan Housley said. “It could have easily been a 0-0 game. Both teams scored on goals that were …”
Housley couldn’t find the right word, so we’ll offer up “unconventional.”
Spencer Clark got Heritage on the board first in the 30th minute on a shot from 40 yards out.
“The goalkeeper was out,” Clark said when asked what he saw. “He’s done that before against us. I saw that and took the shot.”
With the Skyview goalkeeper 15 yards in front of the goal, Clark sent his shot over the keeper’s head and into the goal.
“That’s just smart soccer,” Skyview coach Colleen McKinney said.
But the 1-0 lead lasted only eight minutes, when Skyview’s Andrew Harris took a free kick from almost as far away as Clark’s shot. Harris’ shot across the Heritage goal face slipped past everyone and into the net.
The score remained 1-1 in the second half as both teams were issued yellow cards as they fought to get the go-ahead goal.
On one Skyview challenge in the 63rd minute, Heritage goalkeeper Robbie Meadors got kicked in the leg gathering up the ball, resulting in a red card against the Storm.
Even playing a man down for the last 17 minutes of regulation, plus 10 minutes of overtime, Skyview had the bulk of the possession. But the Storm couldn’t convert.
“We just need to put the ball away,” McKinney said. “I told the guys that we had 26 shots. That should be worth five goals, not three or two or one.”
The tie left Skyview (4-1-2 in the 4A GSHL) in first place with 14 points. Heritage (4-2-1) has 13 points. Camas (3-2-2) has 11 points and Union (3-3-1) has 10.
League play concludes Thursday as Skyview plays at Camas and Heritage hosts Union.
“Whatever happens on Thursday, we’re assured of a playoff spot, so I’m not worried,” McKinney said. “We just need to score.”
A Skyview win Thursday gives the Storm the league title. But if Skyview loses and Heritage wins, the Timberwolves take the crown.
“We can’t worry about what anyone else does,” Clark said. “We just need to focus on Union. We’ll be ready for them. We’ll be fine.”
If Camas beats Skyview and Heritage ties Union, there would be a three-way tie between Skyview, Heritage and Camas.
“That’s what you want: for everything to come down to the final day,” Housley said. “It’s fun. It add a lot of stress, but it’s fun.”
