Eisenhower's boys soccer team finished at 9-6-1 overall, playing out of a very tough Region 3, after a 12-1 win over Iroquois on Tuesday at Eisenhower High School.
"We've won all the games we should have; three teams were just better than us," said Eisenhower coach Mike Decker, whose Knights finished 4-6 and in fourth place in the region. "It's got to be the toughest region in the whole district, with four very tough teams. It's a shame they only take four teams in Class A."
Eisenhower finished behind region champion Mercyhurst Prep (8-1-1 in region), North East (8-2) and Fairview (7-2-1). Mercyhurst Prep and North East advance to the playoffs out of Region 3 and Mercer and Kennedy Catholic out of Region 1. So, Fairview - at 13-3 overall - didn't even make the four-team playoffs.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Allen Seybert
Quick strike
Eisenhower’s Ben Perkins strikes a free kick during the first half of Tuesday’s boys soccer match with Iroquois at Eisenhower High School. The Knights won by a dominant 12-1 count to finish the year at 9-6-1.
"(We) know exactly where we stand," said Decker. "(The players) know we play in a difficult region. I'm sure they would have liked to make the playoffs, but we had a decent season. We had some losses, but we had some good wins, too."
Ike loses just five seniors to graduation, including Jake VanHouten, who had five goals and four assists on Tuesday. Senior Andy Decker, coach Decker's son, added three goals and three assists. Seniors also include Ben Perkins, Matt Eernisse and Ryan Williams.
Williams had only played on the team for a few weeks, but scored his first high school goal on Tuesday.
Freshman Josh Eernisse added two goals and an assist, Eric Daugharthy, a junior, scored his first goal, and freshman Christian Hefright assisted on Daugharthy's goal.
Eisenhower, which won five of its last six games, outshot Iroquois (0-17 overall, 0-10 in region), 20-4.