Paul Dewine’s penalty kick in the 44th minute was the only scoring in Wednesday’s Class 2A Substate 8 Semifinal at Dewey Field.
Unfortunately for host Perry, Dewine plays for Lewis Central, and it is the Titans (16-3) who advance to Saturday’s Substate Final. Perry (10-8) would have hosted the match had the Bluejays prevailed, but now Lewis Central will host Harlan, a 2-1 winner over Denison-Schleswig, at 12 p.m. Saturday for a spot in the state tournament.
Perry’s offensive struggles were exposed Wednesday. The Jays started the season at 8-1 but won only two of their final nine games, and in the seven losses managed to score only a single goal.
Lewis Central had defeated Perry, 3-0, at Dewey Field May 11, but found the Bluejay team they faced Wednesday determined to exact revenge.
Perry dominated the first half. With a strong west/southwest wind at their backs, the Bluejay offense spent much of the first 40 minutes on the Titan side of the pitch. Perry made numerous attacks, but managed only a few true shots on goal and had to settle for a scoreless tie at the intermission.
The fateful moment came 4 minutes, 26 seconds into the second half when Dewine went to the turf while trying to speed around a Perry defender while in the goal box. Awarded a penalty kick, he did not miss, providing the lone score of the contest.
Lewis Central had two strong scoring chances turned aside by saves from Perry goalie Mike Echeverria, with Titan keeper Cole Jensen also making a pair of clutch saves in the second half to help his team record their ninth consecutive victory. All 16 Titan wins have been shutouts.
Seniors Johnathon Castro, Mario Cruz, Hezam Elezaby, Jehovany Rivera, Rudy Sarceno, Anthony Velasco and Echeverria all played their final prep match for Perry. The group was a combined 52-29 overall and 24-4 in RRC play, winning three conference crowns and twice appearing in the state tournament.
