Niwot – Niwot first-year girls soccer coach Chad Eisentranger walked away from Wednesday’s game against crosstown rival Longmont with a wry smile on his face.
The kind that lets you know he just got away with something he shouldn’t have.
The Cougars remained undefeated after posting a bizarre, 2-1 double overtime Northern League victory against the Trojans, who could only walk away wondering what should have been.
“We didn’t deserve to win that game,” Eisentranger said. “We had no business even being in that game. I’ll take it, I’m glad to be 5-0, but that is not acceptable for Niwot soccer.”
Niwot (4-0 in the Northern League) fell behind 1-0 after Longmont sophomore Sierra Arndt ripped a shot from 35 yards out over the head of freshman keeper Alexis Zumwalt in the 59th minute.
Longmont (3-3 overall and in league) kept the Niwot attack at bay until the waning moments, when a controversial goal by Kelsey Thompson was allowed to stand. The referee’s whistle blew before the cross by Lauren Shaner was sent into the box, but a quick conference determined it was a goal.
“We fell victim to a moderate call,” Longmont coach Nathan Oliver said. “But that being said, we just didn’t get it done offensively. We had our chances and we didn’t put them away.”
Shaner had a foot in the game- winner as well. A perfectly placed corner kick to the far post met the waiting boot of defender Kaitlin Buck, who finished with ease.
“It was just a beautiful ball by Shaner, and she’s had a lot of those,” Buck said. “We just need to start finishing earlier so we don’t find ourselves in that situation.”
Niwot drew even with another crosstown rival, Silver Creek, atop the Northern League standings.
Longmont 0 1 0 0 – 1
Niwot 0 1 0 1 – 2
Goals – L: Arndt (unassisted), 59th minute; N: Thompson (Shaner), 75th; Buck (Shaner), 88th.
Shots on goal – Longmont 1-4-1-0 – 6; Niwot 4-2-0-1 – 7. Saves – Longmont (Schreiber) 4-1-0-0 – 5; Niwot (Zumwalt) 1-3-1-0 – 5. Corner kicks – Longmont 1-0-0-0 – 1; Niwot 0-4-1-1 – 6. Offsides – Longmont 0-0-0-1 – 1; Niwot 3-2-0-0 – 5. Fouls – Longmont 7-4-0-0 – 11; Niwot 4-3-3-0 – 10. Yellow cards – None.
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
