LOOKING FOR SPACE — Big Red’s Cole Bowers attempts to send the ball forward past a pair of East Liverpool defenders, Dominic Johnson and Ayden Wright, during Wednesday’s sectional final at Harding Stadium. – Andrew Grimm
STEUBENVILLE — The Big Red boys soccer team is headed back to the East District tournament following an overtime victory in Wednesday night’s sectional title match at Harding Stadium.
Program record holder Matt Loot added to his career highlights when he scored on a penalty kick in the extra time to lift Big Red to a 2-1 victory over East Liverpool.
Loot, the program’s leading career goal scorer, also scored the Big Red goal in regulation, which at the time gave Steubenville a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The Potters tied the match with a goal from Ayden Wright in the second half, also on a PK, to force overtime despite being out-shot by the Crimson and Black by a wide margin.
Big Red (12-6-1) peppered East Liverpool keeper Jake Smith with 24 shots on target, Smith stopping 22 of them, while coach Greg Bowers’ club attempted 29 shots to No. 8 seed East Liverpool’s three. Robby Lucas made two saves in the win.
Big Red, the No. 4 seed in the tournament and reigning district champions, will take on No. 3 seed John Glenn at a site to be determined on Monday in the district semifinals.
The Muskies advanced by knocking off No. 7 seed St. Clairsville 7-1 in their sectional championship match on Wednesday.
