Westminster Christian boys’ soccer rallies before losing in penalty kicks

Westminster took Holy Trinity to the brink but came up short.

Westminster Christian’s bid for a state title game berth fizzled when Melbourne Holy Trinity took an overtime penalty kick session 3-2 after a 2-2 game in a Class 2A state semifinal Tuesday at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.

“I felt like we outplayed them after the first 20 minutes. I thought we were the better team,” Westminster coach Josh Kirk said.

“I think the nerves took us over (in the early minutes). These guys were here last year so they had some experience against us. We were nervous that first quarter, but then I thought we settled in and played a lot better.”

Yuri Goncalves and Markus Ruiz scored for Westiminster in the PK session while Jude Lindbaek, Aidan Holtkamp and Luke Daigkler scored for Trinity. It was Daigler’s penalty kick that spelled the difference.

Both teams played to a stalemate in the first and second overtime periods though Westminster senior defender Nicholas Gonzales nearly scored the go-ahead goal with a minute remaining in the first overtime, but his hard-hitting shot was saved by Trinity goalkeeper Dustin Stron.

Trailing 2-1 in regulation, Westminster (16-5-2) tied the game dramatically with 1:28 remaining when Eddie Gomez headed in a corner kick on a pass from Jonah Santiesteban, who picked up the assist.

“My friend Jonah got me the ball, and with my eyes closed, I hit the ball, and it hit the back of the net. It was the most exciting moment of my soccer career,” Gomez said.

“I didn’t get to play a whole season with these boys because I was injured for half of it. But the last five games that I played have been the best year of my life. Sadly we didn’t make it to the state title game, but this was the best year of my life.”

Trinity opened the scoring on a goal by Cody Seitz at the 31:16 mark of the first half. Evan Spreitzer picked up the assist.

Westminster knotted the game 1-1 with 12:48 left in the first half on a goal by senior forward Luis Ayla.

Trinity took a 2-1 lead at the 21-minute mark of the second half off a goal by Spreitzer, which ended the scoring until Gomez’s header forced overtime.

“In the second half, I thought we were better and took it to them. We were unfortunate on the second goal and the ball that they got,” Kirk said.