Dreher’s Leif Kayes keeps the ball in play against Airport. Twice before, the Dreher Blue Devils (7–11–1, 4–4) had gone to overtime, and twice they have come out on the short end of the scoreboard. On Tuesday, April 27, Dreher’s fortunes changed against the Airport Eagles (10–7–1, 5–2), as the Blue Devils won 1–0 in penalty kicks.

“I’m so happy that we finally won one of those close ones. This is the third time we’ve been to penalty kicks. This is the fourth time we’ve been to overtime. Things are finally coming together at the right time,” Dreher head soccer coach Paul Coleman said.

Neither team was able to put the ball in the net during regulation, although each team had plenty of opportunities.

In the 6th minute Dreher’s Preston Mousseau took a shot in front of the goal, only to have it stopped by Airport keeper Austin Jordan. Later in the game, Jordan made another great save when Florian Boss took a shot off of a free kick.

The Eagles had their opportunities as well. In the 53rd minute, Brandon Verano had an open shot that was denied by the Dreher keeper Ben Gause.

In the 73rd minute, Airport had another opportunity when Griff Sims had a shot, which ended up in the hands of Gause.

When the game advanced to overtime, the outcome was the same, 0–0, forcing penalty kicks.

After the first player from each team made his goal, Boss drilled his into the back of the net to give the Blue Devils a 2–1 advantage. Boss’s goal became bigger when Tavoy Rose’s shot hit the left post and dribbled out of bounds, maintaining Dreher’s one goal advantage.

Daniel Binette scored on his opportunity giving Dreher a 3–1 edge. Verano was Airport’s next chance, but his shot missed giving Dreher an opportunity to end the game with its next player. Daniel Thunell made his shot, giving Dreher a 4–1 edge and a 1–0 win.

“This win puts us into the playoffs I believe. More importantly, we’re playing well at the end of the year,” Coleman said.

The Blue Devils sit firmly in fourth place in Region V–3A, while Airport is in third place a half game behind South Aiken. Brookland– Cayce currently leads the region with a 7–1 record.

The Blue Devils complete regular season play with region match–ups against South Aiken (May 4) and Midland Valley (May 5).

The Eagles have region games remaining against Swansea (April 28), Midland Valley (April 29), and Brookland– Cayce (May 3). They finish the regular season May 6 hosting Blythewood.