With Tyrone coming off their third consecutive win, the stakes were high for the Golden Eagles to extend their streak at home against Bishop Guilfoyle.
From the start of the game, the two teams were very evenly matched. BG’s striker had fantastic ball skills and was able to dribble through several Tyrone defenders, creating chances for the BG offense.
But the Golden Eagles struck first on a cross that played right to the BG goalkeeper. However, the BG keeper was unable to secure the ball cleanly, and Tyrone freshman midfielder Grant Miller took advantage with a perfect touch on the rebound, sending the ball to the back of the net for the game’s first goal.
Guilfoyle answered with an equalizing goal late in the first half. The BG goal came off of a corner kick, which initially was saved, but knocked around the keeper’s box a few times before ending up in Tyrone’s net.
The half ended in a 1-1 tie.
Tyrone is no stranger to being tied at the half, as the previous game before Clearfield was also tied at halftime. Tyrone knew that if they worked hard, they would have a good chance of winning. What they didn’t know was that the game was just getting started.
Tyrone drew first blood at the start of the second half when senior midfielder Elijah Knarr found junior forward Jake Baker, who sent the ball to the side of the net, far from the BG keeper’s reach.
With the game tied at 2-2, both teams battled for possession, with neither team asserting dominance.
Disaster struck for Tyrone when a through ball was played past the Tyrone defensive line. BG was quick to react and was able to put up another goal, taking the lead.
BG started to intensify their attack, and with less than 15 minutes left, scored another goal. This time, it was the forward with great ball skills who was able to dribble past the Tyrone defensive line, faking a shot, then taking one, extending BG’s lead to two.
The Tyrone boys knew that at this point they needed to score to keep themselves in this game, and to have any chance of winning, they needed to score at least two more times.
With 11 minutes left, Tyrone was awarded a free kick deep in BG’s half. Senior Elijah Knarr placed the ball directly in the line of Senior forward Connor Bardell, who saw his opportunity and took it. The BG goalkeeper lost track of the ball and Bardell was able to score for Tyrone, cutting BG’s lead to one.
Things were starting to look bright for Tyrone, but they still needed a goal to equalize the game.
With 5 minutes left in regulation, junior forward Jake Baker was fouled inside the 18-yard box, resulting in a penalty kick for Tyrone.
Tensions were high as Senior Elijah Knarr placed the ball on the penalty kick spot.
Knarr responded with a perfectly placed penalty kick to the bottom left corner of the net. Tyrone was now tied with BG, with little time left in regular time.
Tyrone and BG continued to fight hard for the last 5 minutes, but neither team scored.
Overtime consists to two 10 minute periods, and if neither team scores, the game ends in a tie.
Both teams knew that they had to give 110% effort, use everything they had left to try and win the game. Both teams’ defenses were able to keep the other confined to the midfield, and the game ended in a 4-4 tie.
