Purple Eagles edge Chiefs in soccer sectional opener in a penalty kick shootout

No. 10 seed Albion nipped host No. 7 Iroquois 2-1 this afternoon in a Section VI Class B1 opening round boys soccer playoff game that was decided in a penalty kick shootout.

The Purple Eagles jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by Angel Rosario but the Chiefs knotted the contest in the second half.

It remained deadlocked through the rest of regulation time and through two 10 minute overtime periods.

That set the stage for the game deciding penalty kick shootout which saw Rosario and Juan Santiago score goals to earn the marathon win for the Purple Eagles.

“We had to play without three key players today. The team really came together to fill in those gaps. Everyone was positive throughout the entire game and I think that really helped” said Albion Coach Casey Flynn.”I told them at the start of the game that this was a clean slate, and it’s our time to make a new beginning. I couldn’t be happier with the way it went today from start to finish.”

Albion will next visit No. 2 East Aurora in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Also in Class B1, No. 3 Medina/Lyndonville will host No. 6 Lackawanna at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in another quarterfinal contest.  Lackawanna blanked No. 11 I Prep 4-0 this afternoon.