MONROE, CT — Soccer purists well tell you a game should be decided during game play, but those involved in the Masuk High boys’ program aren’t about to complain about the end result from their Class L State Tournament opener.
The No. 16 Panthers edged No. 17 RHAM 2-1 by winning in a round of penalty kicks (4-3) after still being deadlocked at one a piece following regulation and overtime at Masuk Tuesday.
Junior Hadara Sisay scored midway through the first half for a 1-0 Masuk lead, The Panthers fended off RHAM, which applied pressure late in the opening half, to maintain that one-goal lead heading into the break.
After RHAM tied things in the second half and a scoreless overtime, the teams lined up for penalty kicks. Senior captains Carter McCoy and
Jonah Lesiw both scored, and seniors Jake Gniadek and Kyle Mulloy both scored.
Masuk goalkeeper Chris Simoulidis stopped RHAM’s second shooter to help the Panthers advance to a second round road game at top-seed Ellis Tech on Thursday.
