That was one heck of a high school game. We had chances, they had chances and it was just a really hard-fought game. I’m really proud of my team for coming back. – East head coach Rudy Schenk said.
SALT LAKE CITY — After falling behind 1-0 to Woods Cross in just the second minute, East wasn't about to go down on its home field without a fight.
The Leopards dug deep, made some key plays and erased their early deficit in the second half before coming up with some key saves down the stretch to escape with a 1-1 draw and gain one point in the standings Thursday afternoon.
“That was one heck of a high school game. They got on us early and they were on us for the first 25 minutes before we settled in and played much better. We played really well in the second half. We got the equalizer and then from there, it was just gut-check time for both teams. We had chances, they had chances and it was just a really hard-fought game. I’m really proud of my team for coming back,” East head coach Rudy Schenk said.
The Wildcats came out swinging and, after getting a quick stop on defense, were able to draw first blood off Kennedy Yost's tremendous goal just over one minute into the match.
East got off to somewhat of a slow start, especially on the offensive end, and couldn't seem to find a rhythm as it headed to the break facing a 1-0 hole.
Then, after locking down on defense and swarming Yost with a double-team every time she touched the ball, the Leopards finally began to string some stops together and got rolling on offense.
“I think we just got a little more physical and wanted the win the ball. That first goal came because we backed off of everything and you can’t do that — especially against a player like Yost. We talked about getting up, marking tighter and not letting her turn on us and for the most part, I think we did a much better job,” Schenk said.
The home team really took control of the tempo and dominated time of possession before some good looks finally began to open up.
Then, in the 51st minute, freshman forward Emily Jensen saw an opening and made her move.
Jensen dribbled around her defender, juked one more defender, pulled up and chipped a beautiful shot right over the ’keepers fingertips and into the back of the net to tie things up at 1-1 and take all of the momentum.
“It was just a hustle goal. It was just an unbelievable hustle goal. I’m really proud of her — she’s just a gritty little player. She definitely has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. I’m really pleased with her. She deserves it and she works really hard,” said Schenk.
After both teams stepped up on defense and failed to find the back of the net in regulation, the match headed to overtime.
Then, after really struggling against a fierce East double-team in the second half, Yost was finally able to shake her defenders and headed straight for East's goalkeeper with the ball, looking to seal the win.
However, with Yost heading her way in the final minutes, senior ’keeper Jocelyn Hanrath met Yost at the top of the box, made her move and came up with a big-time sliding deflection to keep the Wildcats out of the net and preserve the 1-1 draw.
“She (Yost) had a couple of dangerous plays in there and my ’keeper came up huge on a one-on-one. She’s a senior, she’s a captain and she’s played since she was a freshman. She started last year and she’s just done a great job for us this year. She’s been really solid — I’ve been really pleased with her,” Schenk said.
Ryan Love is a full-time student and has been a part-time sportswriter for the Deseret News since October 2012. Follow him on Twitter @RLove7724
EMAIL: rlove@deseretnews.com