LEBANON — It was an eventful Monday evening at Harry Stuart Field, with ASA youth soccer for Russell County recognized between games. The youngsters and crowd were treated to a thriller. Emmitt Breeding scored a late goal as the two teams finished regulation in a 4-4 tie. Neither could score in two five-minute overtime periods, and they settled for the draw.
With under three minutes to play in regulation, Breeding lined up for a free kick with the Pioneers trailing 4-3.
“I saw it was at the six-yard box, so I just went ahead and shot it,” Breeding remarked. “I ripped it. Honestly, I don’t remember hitting it, but it felt great. It was one of those that you know is going in.”
It squeezed through the top of the net and the outstretched hands of Tiger goalkeeper Austin Clayburne.
“I felt like I could have run through a brick wall after that,” stated Breeding. “Those are the moments that I train for. We’re out here five days a week, free kicks, corners, free kicks, corners for three or four hours every day. It’s the most rewarding feeling in the world to see it come into the game.”
Breeding came through at a crucial time for the Pioneers.
“Big players make big plays,” Lebanon coach Ethan Trent said. “Emmitt contributed three of our four goals tonight. He’s one of our two captains, and his leadership and quality on the field really showed tonight. Emmitt helped carry the team. He picked them up when we were down late and never let them hang their heads. He and Carter Dillon both.”
Another essential play came with about two minutes remaining in the first overtime. Honaker’s Thomas Ball got loose and had a good shot snagged by Mike Reece, Lebanon’s goalkeeper.
“It’s Mike’s first year; he’s never played soccer in his life,” said Trent. He’s a great athlete. Mike is coming along. Two weeks ago, he didn’t get down and make that save. It shows the growth and maturity that he has every day. Mike can still learn, but overall, he’s improving every day and game.”
It seemed as though it might be an easy win for Lebanon. Breeding headed a goal in off a corner kick by Dillon for the first score. Dillon found the right side of the net on a penalty kick, and the Pioneers were up 2-0 less than ten minutes into the match.
Honaker (2-2-1) certainly didn’t quit.
The Tigers got their first goal off a corner kick. Ball picked up the assist as Landon Viers scored to pull within 2-1. Thomas also had the assist as Jaylon Hart connected with his left foot, finding the back of the net to tie it at 2-all with just over six minutes to go in the first half.
“I was proud of them for fighting back,” Honaker coach Wilburn Johnson said. “I’m really pleased with my team’s effort, and I felt Lebanon gave great effort too.”
Breeding had a corner kick and Maddox Nuckols scored to give Lebanon a 3-2 lead with 3:22 to play in the first half. That remained the score at intermission.
The Tigers battled back to tie it midway through the second half. Jax Dye had a corner kick, and Hart scored the tying goal. Hart then had the assist as Honaker had their first lead of the game on a goal by John Sykes into the right corner of the net with 12:35 remaining.
Then came the heroics of Breeding for the Pioneers.
“The Lebanon player (Breeding) just hit a great shot,” commented Johnson. “There’s nothing else you can really say other than that was just a good ball.”
Lebanon (4-1-1) will try to continue to build as they begin their Southwest District schedule.
“I love this team, but we have so much inexperience compared to last year,” Trent said. “Out of 18 kids last year, only five back this year. But we have grown and gotten better every day. I think we can surprise some people in the Southwest; if we put together a full 80 minutes, we can beat anyone we step on the field with.”