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ALPENA - Alpena High School's soccer team's season ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss to Petoskey on Thursday in a district semifinal, as the Wildcats' late equalizer but failed to capitalize in overtime, as a Northmen goal in overtime proved decisive.
The game was scoreless at halftime after a competitive first half in which both teams created chances but neither could finish. The intensity continued into the second half until Alpena broke through with about three minutes remaining. Parker Kaiser was fouled on a run just outside the penalty area and Joe LaCross delivered a free kick that Sam Bastow converted to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
Petoskey answered back quickly.
With 38 seconds left, a corner kick led to a deflected header that tied the score at 1-1 and forced overtime.
In the first of two 10-minute overtime periods, a Petoskey cross found the back of the net midway through the period to put the Northmen ahead 2-1. Alpena generated several more opportunities over the final 15 minutes of overtime but could not equalize.
Goalkeeper Jayden Crandall finished with nine saves.
Alpena coach Ken Dragiewicz described the match as everything expected from a district contest.
"Everything you expect a district game to be, intense and highly competitive," Dragiewicz said. "Both teams had chances throughout the game but Petoskey's equalizer with under a minute was a heartbreaker."
Despite the result, Dragiewicz pointed to the growth of his group, particularly the seniors.
"Extremely proud of how this team progressed and competed all season, especially the senior class of Joe LaCross, Sam Bastow, Mason Burns, Jackson Birmingham, Reed Leeck, Bryson Collegnon, Jackson Natzel and Jacob Krey," he said. "I've coached many of these players since they were in youth soccer and they are like family, so proud of the young men they have become."
Bastow's goal and LaCross's assist marked the only scoring for Alpena in the contest.