Boys Soccer: Watterson falls to Tippecanoe in double-overtime thriller
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Bishop Watterson’s Angelo Ginocchi (right) and Tipp City’s Carson King compete during the Red Devils’ win in a Division II state semifinal Nov. 8 at Marysville. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Some ways are more difficult to take then others when a team’s season ends in the postseason. But losing on a great shot in double overtime isn’t the worst way to go out.
The Bishop Watterson boys soccer team took fourth-ranked Tipp City Tippecanoe to the brink before Landon Haas scored a long-range goal to give the Red Devils a 2-1 win in a Division II state semifinal on Nov. 8 at Marysville’s IMPACT Stadium.
Seeking its second state championship, Tippecanoe plays Richfield Revere for a state championship on Nov. 11 at Historic Crew Stadium. The Devils last won a title in 2019 and were runner-up in 2020.
Haas took a shot from the left side, about 45 yards out, and perfectly placed it over Watterson goalkeeper Mike Antry’s head with 3 minutes left in the second overtime.
Bishop Watterson’s Dillon Brown (right) and Tipp City’s Carson King battle in a Division II state semifinal Nov. 8. Photo: John Hulkenberg
“It’s hard to lose, but I’d rather lose like that than 5-0,” Watterson coach Aaron Linden said. “We scheduled our schedule for a reason (because) we knew we were going to be here. I couldn’t be happier.”
Afterward, Haas laid on the sideline stretching out a cramp, taking a brief respite from the celebration.
“I was cramping throughout the whole overtime,” Haas said. “I just saw the keeper on the far-right post. I’ve hit a couple of these from long range this season and thought I’d just take a chance. It’s the state semifinals and do what you can to win it.”
Haas has 32 goals and 25 assists in 22 games to lead Tippecanoe this season.
“It was a great goal,” Linden said. “That kid is legit. We knew that coming in. We had a game plan – Jordan Vais did a phenomenal job shutting him down.
Bishop Watterson goalie Mike Antry and teammates struggle with their emotions following a loss to Tipp City in a Division II state semifinal Nov. 8 at Marysville. Photo: John Hulkenberg
The Devils (21-1-1) are undefeated over their last 19 games (17-0-1), winning the last 15 where they’ve outscored opponents 83-4, including 28-2 in the postseason.
Caleb Ransome broke the scoring seal off a Cameron Smith assist with 33:05 remaining in regulation.
But Caden Davis tied it on a free kick from about 45 yards out. The ball’s momentum carried Tippecanoe goalie Michael Jergens across the goal line. It was initially ruled no goal, but later corrected.
Jergens finished with three saves in goal for the Devils while Noah Thomas had one save in the first half and Andry had four saves in the second half for the Eagles (13-6-4).
Watterson was making its first appearance in the state tournament since 2014 and fourth overall.
“I’m full of emotion right now because of those seniors,” Linden said, fighting back tears. “(Tippecanoe was) bigger, they were faster … the way these boys fought, going down 1-0 and getting a goal. To me, it’s those eight seniors. Some of them don’t play much, but they got this program up and running. I think this program is going to be raring to go for the next couple of years.”
