Shootouts are not user friendly for Newton High’s Cardinal boys.
In the final regular-season game Friday at H.A. Lynn Stadium, the Cardinals came up short for the fourth time in shootouts. They lost 3-2 to Nevada as the Cubs planted four penalty kicks in the net to the Cardinals two during the shootout.
“We have no luck in penalty kick shootouts,” said Sackda Viravong, Newton head coach. “We beat ourselves in this one. Basically, we are our own worst enemy.”
Following a scoreless first half, the Cardinals broke through when Duncan Lee took a pass from Josh Ventling and scored. The Cubs came back with goals from Marcus Castillo and Johordan Ritter to take a 2-1 lead.
Ventling put in the equalizer on a penalty kick. The teams remained tied 2-2 through the rest of regulation and two overtime periods.
The Cubs hit four penalty kicks in the shootout. Newton got just two past Nevada goalkeeper A.J. Strottman.
“We didn’t move well — with or without the ball — and we had no rhythm to our game. We took too many touches on the ball and made a lot of mental mistakes,” Viravong said.
Grant Davidson had two saves in the game as the Cardinal goalkeeper. The Cardinals had 12 shots on goal and had six corner kicks.
The Cardinal junior varsity won its final game of the season, 4-0, against Nevada.
Newton’s varsity finished the regular season 8-10 overall and 2-4 in Little Hawkeye Conference play.
The Cardinals open Class 2A Substate 7 play Tuesday at home. Newton hosts Prairie City-Monroe’s Mustangs (0-13) at 4:30 p.m. at H.A. Lynn Stadium. The winner plays Knoxville at 6 p.m. Thursday at Knoxville. The substate final is at noon Saturday at Norwalk.
Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com