IMS 2, Regina, Iowa City 1
IMS put their unbeaten season on the line as they hosted defending 1A state champion Iowa City Regina Tuesday evening at IMS. Regina began the game with the wind at their backs but it was IMS which nearly scored in the opening minute as Truman Shetler gathered in a ball, outran his defender and put a shot on goal only to see it skim the outside of the post. From that point on the intensity level of the game picked up as both teams worked hard to maintain possession and to create good scoring chances. Despite going into the wind Jacob Yoder and Shetler were able to create several opportunities, while midfielders, Brian Miller and Vince Rhodes along with Stephan Peters and Seth Miller upped their level of play to match that of the skilled Regina team. The back line of John Nicholson, Marshall Schrock, Kyle Miller and Chris Perez did an excellent job of knocking away balls while trying to contain the speed of Regina’s forwards. Goalie Michael Darby made several key saves when tested during the first half. Regina scored first with 9 minutes left in the half after Daniel Larew gathered a ball in the midfield, turned and cracked a wicked shot from about 30 yards out which ripped into the goal for the 1-0 halftime lead.
The second half saw more fast paced soccer as both teams worked hard to create scoring opportunities only to see good defensive play knock the balls away. As time passed the halfway point of the second half, Brian Miller gathered in a ball, beat a defender and took a shot from about the 18 yard line and sent it low to the far post where it escaped the grasp of the goalie to equalize the score. The goal energized the tired legs and bodies of IMS players. Ten minutes later, Vince Rhodes dribbled towards the box, passed the ball to Miller, who sent it back to Rhodes in stride and he took the shot for the 2-1 lead. As the final minutes ticked away, Regina tried to find the equalizer which opened up several scoring opportunities for IMS but shots either went wide or were saved by the goalie.
The IMS team showed tonight that not only are they a skilled team but that they have a lot of heart and determination, requirements for beating a quality opponent like Regina. With the win IMS moves to 11-0 for the season.
