FISHER — As the ball went out of bounds next to the goal, last touched by a Fisher/Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley boys’ soccer player, a Hoopeston Area coach’s voice got excited as he turned to the rest of the staff and said, “Ooh, a corner kick.”
Hoopeston senior Talan Gredy-Nelson lined up the kick and placed it perfectly in front of the net, and fellow senior Gavin Montez headed it past the goalie for the game’s first and only score. The goal came in the 38th minute, just before halftime, and the Cornjerkers (13-5) hung on to earn the 1-0 upset win.
“I didn’t think we’d have a chance. We knew they had a lot of talent. They’re loaded. They’re solid all the way through,” Hoopeston coach Kevin Root said of Fisher/GCMS.
“Our bread and butter are throw-ins and corner kicks. We got a few of those in the first half, and one of them happened to go in. … When we got that one in, I think we thought we could play with this team.”
Root was especially humble about the win because of how well the Bunnies had been playing throughout the month. Fisher/GCMS had a 17-1 record and was riding a 13-game winning streak dating back to Sept. 5, only allowing six goals during that stretch. The back half of its run included a 5-0 championship showing from Sept. 19-23 at the Manteno Rivals Cup.
“It’s been one heck of a ride,” Bunnies coach Robby Dinkins said. “These are the ones we learn from the most. You’re not invincible. You start going on streaks like this, and you’re like, ‘We can just show up and win these games.’ You get punched in the mouth like that, and you’re like, ‘Oh crap, we’ve got to go.’”
Tuesday was eighth game in as many days for Fisher/GCMS (17-2), and the Bunnies will play a ninth Wednesday at Coal City.
Their fatigue showed against Hoopeston, but they still had plenty of chances to score. They went on the attack for the entire second half with the Cornjerkers subbing in an extra defender for a midfielder. Twice in the span of 20 seconds early in the second half, Fisher/GCMS had a shot ricochet off the post. A few minutes later, a chip shot went just over the crossbar. A few minutes after that, back-to-back lasers from the top of the penalty box went right to the goalie.
“Sometimes, that’s soccer,” Dinkins said. “You get shots on goal, you’re in the right spot and then the Root kid comes out of nowhere and makes an amazing save. You’ve got to tip your hat to the kid.”
Hoopeston senior Owen Root certainly made a difference in net for the Cornjerkers. He always seemed to be in the right spot. He won every race to the ball and the post turned into his best friend.
“Those ones that hit the post, I thought were going out, and I was worried somebody was going to be right there to tap it in,” Root said. “I was thankful no one was there and we got to clear it.”
In the final minute, Root leapt over a handful of Fisher/GCMS players to make a save. Moments later, the Bunnies had an indirect free kick from just inside midfield. It was another laser right to Root, who caught it with 30 seconds left on the clock to all but seal the win.
Root gave props to his team for playing intense defense down the stretch. The Cornjerker coaches were hollering: “Give me everything you’ve got” to their players for the final few minutes.
“The way we coach is the way they play,” Kevin Root said, and that was definitely the case Tuesday, as they essentially played 40 minutes of defense in the second half.
“It was definitely the most we’ve ever hustled in a game,” Owen Root said. “Everyone gave it their all, and I thank my team for that. They stopped a lot more shots from coming.”
It was “a great win” for Hoopeston, on Fisher/GCMS’ senior night no less.
It wasn’t the outcome the Bunnies would have wanted on their senior night, but Dinkins couldn’t keep the smile off his face talking about them afterwards.
“Those five guys have stuck it through four straight years,” Dinkins said. “They’re a group that has always come in, done what they’re supposed to and worked really hard. They set that example for the younger guys below them that the hard work can pay off. These guys mean the world to us. I’m just glad this isn’t the last one.”
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