High School Boys Soccer:
Vikings Defeat Indians to Advance

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

As this Group 4 Semi-finals Soccer match between the Eastern Vikings and Lenape Indians began, each team not only had to battle each other, but also the high winds and cold temperature. Lenape had their fans behind them even though they were wrapped up tight.

Eastern scored the first goal of the game by Hakim Fobia, which got past Lenape's keeper Matt Rotkowitz. Fobia took charge at midfield and put the Vikings up 1-0 with 27:50 left in the first half.

The Indians keep constant pressure on Vikings keeper Dave Kellogg and every shot attempted was turned away. Except for the goal by Justin Lubenow who got inside the defense and Kellogg to tie the score at one with 24:28 left in the first half.

The pressure continued on Kellogg all second half but could not get the ball past him. It was so great that tempers got real high and both teams got into a brawl that resulted in 2 red cards. Eastern's Josh Kopytko and Lenape's Pat Ashton were ejected from the game. Both teams played a man short for the remainder of the second half but did not score to send the game into overtime.

In the overtime, it was Hakim Fobia with his second goal and the game winner with 2:09 left in the second overtime period. Eastern advances to the Group 4 State Tournament against Shawnee.