Collinsville controlled play for a majority of the game Tuesday, but an overtime defensive lapse cost the Kahoks their season.
A double rainbow over Belleville West Stadium during a weather delay / Photo by Roger Starkey
Lightning in the area delayed the match halfway through the first half. When play resumed 35 minutes later, Collinsville took control. Despite outplaying O’Fallon the majority of their first-round match in the Illinois High School Association Regionals, Collinsville could not manage a goal. The match was tied 0-0 at the end of regulation.
The first overtime period was a different game. O’Fallon ((5-1 Southwestern Conference, 12-8 overall) became the aggressor, forcing the Kahoks (3-3 SWC, 10-11-1 overall) to commit the defensive lapses that had dogged them all season, but which they had avoided in the game.
Panthers’ junior defender Jake Reifschneider nailed a shot into the upper left-hand corner of the goal with 2 minutes 26 seconds remaining in the first overtime to give O’Fallon a 1-0 lead it would never relinquish. Freshman goalkeeper Brett Niedzwiecki never stood a chance against the blast from close range.
Senior defender Matt Recklein went down with an injury early in the first half. His presence was missed, especially in the overtime period, Head Coach Myles Hensler said. “He would have made an impact…he’s a good tackler, he works hard,” Hensler said.
The Kahoks never made a serious challenge on goal after falling behind. The Panthers controlled the game through the second overtime to punch their ticket to the Regionals championship match Friday night against Belleville West, who drubbed Belleville East 6-0 Tuesday.
After the match, Hensler again spoke about the team’s inability to overcome a deficit. “Something we have to do as a program is continue to fight when we’re down a goal,” Hensler said.
Collinsville won only two matches all season in which they surrendered a goal. A 4-1 win over Belleville West on Sept. 3 was the only time the Kahoks won a game after surrendering the first goal.
Six Kahoks played their last game Tuesday. A seventh senior, leading scorer Cody Sanftleben, watched on from the sidelines with his injured shoulder in a sling.
