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ILLINOIS WATER POLO |
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Thursday - March 18, 2004 GAME RECAPS
Latin survives Four Overtime Thriller Over Mundelein By Aaron Brown
Mundelein, IL -- It appears that Latin has a thing for overtime games. Whatever the case may be, it would probably be wise for teams to try and beat them in regulation time, as the #4 Romans went to 2-0 in overtime games by surviving a four-overtime thriller with an 8-7 win over #8 Mundelein on Thursday night. Jordan Himmel scored a goal from two meters out in the first minute of the sudden death overtime period to end the game.
Both teams played a defensive-minded game, and no one had a huge advantage throughout the contest. Latin supplied the offense in the early part of the first quarter, scoring two quick goals to take a 2-0 lead. Himmel scored the first after he took a steal down the left side of the pool for an unassisted goal. Jamie Friedland later scored from the right wing for the Romans with 3:19 left in the quarter. Mundelein fought back, as they scored two goals of their own to even the score. The Mustangs cut the lead in half when Mark Schuessler found Greg Peck on a 3-on-2 breakaway to make it 2-1. Peck returned the favor with just 0:05 left in the first period with an assist on a backhand goal from Schuessler to tie the score at 2-2.
In the second quarter, the only goal came from Mundelein's Schuessler, as he drove behind the hole set and elevated to catch a pass from Richard Ochab from the right wing to give the Mustangs their first lead of the game. Meanwhile, they continued to give Latin's John Wickes fits on the defensive end, as his final attempt of the half was a sweep shot that was deflected into the water about four feet in front of the goal. The Mustangs were able to hold Wickes and Chris Jenkins scoreless in the first half.
Latin (4-0) tied the score in the third quarter with 5:29 remaining, as Himmel switched the ball into his left hand to avoid a double team to score and make it 3-3. Latin reclaimed the lead with just 0:30 left in the quarter when Wickes assisted Friedland on his second goal of the game to put the Romans on top 4-3.
In the final period of regulation, Mundelein (4-3) dominated the action. Schuessler called for the ball at two meters and recieved a high pass from Andrew Peterson to draw a four-meter penalty shot with 5:19 left in the game. He put the ball into the left corner to tie the score at 4-4. Just over a minute later, Peck found Schuessler open on the right wing for a goal with 3:55 in the game to take the 5-4 advantage. Peck had two steals for the Mustangs in the next minute, but Latin recovered as Himmel made a steal with 1:31 to go and they quickly called a timeout. On their set play, Himmel was denied from point blank range by Mundelein goalie Andrew Peterson and the Mundelein retained the lead. Peterson had a chance to seal the game for the Mustangs, but his shot from seven meters went wide right and out of bounds. Latin capitalized on their next possession, as Wickes got his first goal of the game from seven meters out with 0:55 remaining to tie the score at 5-5. Schuessler had the last good chance to win the game, but hit the post with a shot with 0:05 in regulation. Latin's fullcourt shot was saved by Mundelein's shallow goalie Tyler Rayomme and the teams ended up tied at 5-5.
In the first overtime, Latin's Andrew Peterson scored his first goal of the game to put Latin ahead 6-5. Schuessler evened the score again for Mundelein with a goal to make it 6-6 heading into the second overtime session. In the second overtime, Schuessler's steal led to a goal from two meters on a pass from Peck with 2:15 to go to make it 7-6 in favor of Mundelein. Latin's Friedland was wide open on the left wing but was denied by Rayomme with 1:45 left to keep Mundelein on top. Wickes drew an ejection with 1:01 left in the game and Latin quickly called timeout. With just 0:45 seconds left, Latin's Peterson shot from four meters out on the powerplay past Mundelein's Rayomme to tie the score once again at 7-7. The two teams would end the second overtime tied up at 7-7.
Each team had three chances to score in the third overtime, but could not put the ball across for the game winner in a sudden death situation. Finally, in Latin's first chance of the fourth overtime, Himmel got the ball at two meters and hit the back of the of the net on a shot to end the marathon game with Latin on top 8-7.
While Wickes was held to only one goal, Himmel led the way three goals and Peterson and Friedland each scored two for Latin. Mundelein was led by Schuessler's five goals, while Peck added a goal of his own in the loss.
Latin has the rest of the weekend off after winning four straight to start their season. Meanwhile, Mundelein countinues on in the Lake County Tournament after winning the first game of the competition over Lake Forest.
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