NTL BOYS' SOCCER: NEB, ELK LAKE END IN DRAW (2024-09-07)

Northern Tier Sports Report
ROME — The NEB boys’ soccer team played to a 2-2 tie with Elk Lake Saturday afternoon. After a scoreless first half the Panthers led most of the second but Elk Lake was able to get a late equalizer, then the two teams held serve in the extra time.

“Good Lord did we look good for the first half for the first time this season,” said coach Scott Merritt. “We dominated possession, communicated well, and our touches were very clean - great attacks that just were slightly off; also, their keeper had some great saves. Anthony Pousen and Ed Eastman literally had the best games of their career with the most control of the ball, positioning, and movement, while Brody Allen, Tyler Kuhn, and Carsen Perkins were up on their wheels, and on the attack. We just couldn’t put it away.”

After a scoreless first half Perkins broke through less than nine minutes into the second half off a Kuhn assist. The two players then reversed roles at 18:33 as Kuhn scored off a Perkins helper to make it 2-0 Panthers.

Elk Lake, though, got two goals in the final 12 minutes - the last coming with 1:52 left to play - to tie things up.

“We got a little tired and made some mental errors in the last 12 minutes of the regular period, and gave them some opportunities, and they eventually capitalized and tied it up,” Merritt said. “We just didn’t quite have enough in the gas tank to press the attack and keep possession in both overtimes. We were 50/50 attack/defend, and neither team could put it away and finish the game.”

NEB out shot Elk Lake 28-11 as Ben Ellis made 10 saves in net.

“I’m proud of their turn around mentally, and getting after it in the first half,” remarked Merritt. “Not to get the finishes on our attacks, and complete 80 minutes with focus.”

NEB (1-4-1) is at Galeton on Tuesday.

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PHOTOS BY TINA MAYNARD

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