ADEL — Host ADM earned a consecutive trip to the state soccer tournament, but for the second year in a row visiting Perry gave the Tigers all they could handle.
Perry (8-10) entered the match a decided underdog against ADM (17-1), who had posted a 4-0 win on Dewey Field earlier this season. It required late heroics for the Tigers to escape in their Region 4 Final Monday, with a score in the 67th minute the only goal of the game in a 1-0 ADM victory.
Last spring the Tigers had blasted the Jayettes, 10-0, in the regular season, but then had to scrap for all they were worth to claim a 2-1 playoff victory, and same scenario repeated itself Monday.
The Jayettes finished with nine shots on goal in the loss, five in the first half and four after the intermission. The Tigers finished with 12 shots on goal.
The Perry defense was spectacular against a talented ADM offense, with freshman goalie Kim Castillo turning aside all six shots she faced in the first 40 minutes to send the teams into halftime scoreless.
Castillo added five second-half saves, but ADM was finally able to work for an open shot and converted with 12 minutes, 47 seconds remaining to grab a 1-0 lead and breathe a little easier against a resolute Perry squad.
The Jayettes did all they could to tie the contest, but the Tigers flooded the defensive end with players to stifle all but the most low-percentage of shots, hanging on desperately to preserve the win.
Perry bows in the regional finals for the third time in four seasons.
