Leopards Rally Past Tornadoes 2-1 to Win 5th Straight Sectional Title – Boys Soccer
#9 Louisville 2, #13 Dover 1
<<< At Barberton | Boys Soccer Schedule | Next Vs. Aurora >>>
The #9 seed Louisville Leopards Boys Soccer Team rallied to defeat the visiting #13 seed Dover Tornadoes 2-1 in the DI Northeast 1 Sectional Finals Saturday Night at Louisville Leopards Stadium. With their fifth consecutive victory, Louisville improves to 13-2-3 and advances to host the #19 seed Aurora Greenmen in the DI Northeast 1 District Semifinals on Wednesday, October 25 at 6:00 PM.
Louisville Vs. Dover Full Game Broadcast
Full Game Broadcast By Straggat Media Network
Burrier Strikes 1st for the Tornadoes
The Tornadoes got on the board first via a goal by Evan Burrier at the end of the 20th minute. Dover would carry that 1-0 lead into the second half and looked poised to upset the Leopards.
Both teams were aggressive and physical throughout the contest with referee calls coming at a premium. This played to the underdog Tornadoes advantage as Louisville desperately tried to knot the game up.
Dillen Ties the Game Up
The Leopards finally broke through in the 57th minute. Senior Brady Adams took possession of the ball on a throw in from the home sideline by junior Nick Johnston. Adams weaved his way through two defenders in the box creating a lane for a shot on goal. The Dover goalkeeper dove to his right to make the save but was unable to corral it.
Senior Drew Dillen was Johnny-on-the spot in the center of the goal box. He booted a shot to the left that went off the finger tips of the goalkeeper and into the back the net to even the game at 1-1 with 23:40 left in the match.
The goal was Dillen’s team leading 13th of the season.
Lowder Puts the Leopards in Front
Senior goalkeeper Noah Emmons, who would finish with 6 saves on the night, blasted a goal kick from the center of the box toward the far left side of the field where junior Damien Lowder headed it. Senior Ethan Diller gained control of the ball and then pushed the ball ahead to Lowder on a give-and-go.
Lowder blazed ahead beating a Dover defender to the ball and dribbled into the left side of the penalty box. With Tornado defenders closing in, Lowder ripped a shot that angled into the right side of the goal to give Louisville its first lead of the night at 2-1 with 12:28 to go. Diller embraced Lowder followed by the rest of the team who had battled all the way back.
Louisville Wins 5th Consecutive Sectional Title
The Leopards were able to hold the Tornadoes off the board the rest of the way to clinch their fifth straight sectional championship. To put it into perspective, Louisville Boys Soccer only won 4 sectional titles in their first 19 seasons before this five year run. The sectional championship is their second straight since moving to Division I.
The team celebrated on the field after the final horn sounded and took a team photo at midfield.
The Leopards are now 22-23 all-time in the postseason, which includes a 14-7 record at home. Louisville is now an even 5-5 in the tournament when playing in Division I and 11-5 under head coach Jared Komo.
Leopards Sweep Tornadoes
The Leopards are now 3-0 against the Tornadoes all-time after sweeping the Tornadoes in two games this season. Louisville shutout Dover 7-0 just 11 days earlier on October 10.
Dover finishes 10-8-1 with the loss according to the OSSCA website.
<<< Previous 2023 | Dover All-Time Series
Louisville to Host Aurora in District Semifinals
The #19 seed Aurora Greenmen went into Rick Neitzelt Stadium and stunned the host #6 seed Jackson Polar Bears 2-1 Saturday Night. The game remained tied at 1-1 at the end of double overtime and Aurora won the contest in a shootout 7-6.
Greenmen WIN in the PK round!!! #5 Nate Just clinched the winning goal and our MVPPPPP #00 Bryce Peckinpaugh was an absolute beast in the box! GREEN DAWGS FOR THE W!! pic.twitter.com/6Hr56z1957
— Aurora Mens Soccer (@SoccerAurora) October 22, 2023
The Leopards will now host the Greenmen on Wednesday in hopes of advancing to the Division I District Championship game for the first time.
UP NEXT: The #9 seed Louisville Leopards Boys Soccer Team will host the #19 seed Aurora Greenmen in the DI Northeast 1 District Semifinals on Wednesday, October 25. Game time is set for 6:00 PM from Louisville Leopards Stadium.
DI Northeast 1 Sectional Final Scores
Saturday, October 21
#15 GlenOak 3, #18 Eastlake North 0
#1 Walsh Jesuit 2, #21 Solon 0
#19 Aurora 2, #6 Jackson 1, 2OT/SO
#9 Louisville 2, #13 Dover 1
DI Northeast 1 District Semifinal Schedule
Wednesday, October 25
#15 GlenOak at #1 Walsh Jesuit, 6:00
#19 Aurora at #9 Louisville, 6:00
Donate to Leopard Nation
Don’t forget to Subscribe to Our Posts for Free
Dover at Louisville Boys Soccer Box Score
LEOPARDS 2, TORNADOES 1
Team 1-2–TOTAL
Dover 1-0–01
Louisville 0-2–02
1st Half
DOVER – Evan Burrier | LHS 0, DHS 1, 20:06
2nd Half
LOUISVILLE – Drew Dillen | LHS 1, DHS 1, 23:40
LOUISVILLE – Damien Lowder (Ethan Diller) | LHS 2, DHS 1, 12:28
Records: Louisville 13-2-3, Dover 10-8-1
