Cordoba’s 2OT Game-Winner Sends IR Back To Title

The Indian River boys soccer team finds themselves in a familiar place; the DIAA DII State Championship. It would take til midway through the second overtime, but Johan de Jesus Cordoba would deliver the game-winner for the Indians, sending them past St. Georges Tech with a 1-0 win and onto the State Title.

The teams would be in a battle from the start. The Indians would be able to generate better scoring opportunities with their chances early, drawing 6 corners to the Hawks 1 in the first half. After 20 scoreless minutes, it looked like IR had finally broken through. A through ball found Wilberth Gonzales Gomez on a break away and he he chipped it just past the keeper and into the back of the net. The goal however was waved off for off sides to keep the game scoreless. The teams would head into halftime tied 0-0 before St. Georges came out firing. Just a couple minutes into the half and they would have a breakaway with the keeper beat, but the shot would be just wide of the far post. Then just minutes they, they woudl send a barrage of shots on frame, but Kevin Calles would make several tremendous diving saves. Finally, the Indians pushed back.

IR would switch the field and begin to be the ones firing shots on goal again. Oscar Cruz would send a strike near post with 30 minutes to go in the match, but the Hawks keeper would show he was able to make some plays as well. A diving save would keep it scoreless, followed by back to back great plays on breakaways. Time would run out on regulation and the teams would head to overtime.

There, the Indians took over. The possession was completely dominated by IR, forcing a couple corners and firing shot after shot on frame. McClain Smith would have a chance to win it with a break away but his chip ended up being wide of the near post. Then just second later, IR would draw a free kick from outside the box. Cordoba would send a shot to the far post that would hit off the post, no-good. The teams would eventually go to a second overtime, before the Indians were finally able to break through. Five minutes into the period, Mikie Mochiam would send a cross into the box that Cordoba would trap off his chest. Before the ball had a chance to bounce, he would volley it to the far post with a beautiful strike for the game winner. IR would storm the field after earning their hard fought win and now will have their chance at bringing Dagsboro it’s 3rd title in 4 years.