Irish: Alexa Gonce scores game-winner vs. Deer Creek...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

I’ve been making fun of myself all week after deciding to go to the Deer Creek-Bishop McGuinness girls soccer game as I don’t know too much about soccer.

Well, you don’t have to know a lot about anything to know that Tuesday night’s game was phenomenal and might be a preview of the state championship.

McGuinness’ Alexa Gonce scored the game-winning goal with 5:35 left in the first overtime to give the Irish a 3-2 victory in a battle of two of the top three teams in Class 5A.

I really didn’t think it was going to go in. I thought she was going to stop it.

This was definitely the hardest game of the season. Everyone played their hearts out. It was a great game.” – Gonce

Deer Creek got on the board first with what I would term a fluke goal as Roman Edwards got it past a charging Elyse Hight and it just kinda trickled in.

However, the fact that it was just 1-0 Antlers at half was crucial as Hight was phenomenal after that goal. Deer Creek had at least three solid scoring opportunities while the Irish really didn’t have any in the first 40 minutes.

McGuinness played with a lot more passion and urgency in the second half and Abbey Akin tied the game up with 28:11 left in the second (or is it referred to as the 52nd minute?).

Then things got weird (especially for me). With the entire Deer Creek team just kinda standing around, Gonce took a throw in and scored her first goal of the night with 25:31 left.

I was on the Antlers sideline, and it looked like nobody (coaches included) thought the ball should have been ready to throw in yet. Any soccer gurus out there that can clear that up would be much appreciated. (EDIT: The reason the Deer Creek girls were “just kinda standing around” when Goncie scored, was that they believed the referee had halted play as they had requested for a teammate that was bleeding.  Thanks for the info.)

Instead of sulking, Deer Creek scored less than a minute later when sophomore Allison Worsham beat Hight on a penalty kick. The Antlers played with a chip on their shoulder after the Gonce goal, and you knew that wasn’t going to determine the outcome.

Then it was time for Antlers’ goalie Gina Mengwasser to step in as she made crucial saves on repeated attempts from CC Guzman and Rachel Tonseth. Tonseth was phenomenal on free kicks, nearly connecting on two of them during the game.

And one time when Mengwasser was beat, somebody (EDIT: Ashleigh Story) stopped a potential game-winner by Gonce with 11 minutes left. I was getting ready to chalk it up for Alexa when I realized somebody stopped it.

After being outshot 6-2 in the first half, McGuinness held a 13-11 advantage after the second half and seized momentum.

In the 10-minute golden goal portion, thought fatigue started to play a little role and Gonce took advantage in what I think was the Irish lone shot attempt in OT.

Fantastic game. Definitely understand why the Irish are ranked third in 5A and Deer Creek No. 2. Akin, Gonce and Guzman are a real joy to watch while I really loved the balance of Deer Creek’s team.

Caught up with Gonce following the win so that video should be on NewsOK on Wednesday.