Double OT thriller; 3 games this week

The JV took 6 points away from last Thursday nights home match against Bishop Lynch moving them into second place with the TAPPS JV Playoffs growing closer.  Due to a packed February schedule an earlier away game at Bishop Lynch could not be played or rescheduled so Thursday's match counted double.

It was Rachel Firestone that took the corner and Emma "Denny" Christiansen who hammered home the game-winner giving them the 1-0 shutout win behind Avery Boley's solid GK performance.  With their final JV match tonight, the group will know their seeding in the TAPPS JV Tournament beginning a week from Wednesday.

The varsity in a dramatic double OT thriller, put on a show for the greatest fans in the country #lvsFFL.  The Lady Friars took a 2-0 lead with goals in the 15th and 37th minute but that was all that got past the Lady Viking defense the rest of the night.

As the second half of play began on a beautiful night at Doskocil Stadium, the Lady Vikings knew they had to reward their fans with a true LVS spirit and they did not disappoint cutting the Lynch lead in half in the 61st minute of play off a corner kick from Kate Kleiser with Hannah Allred waiting on the doorstep to finish for her 19th goal of the season.

The game continued to race on with a relentless effort from both teams and it was Megan Bettinger who with just 1:35 remaining in regulation that equalized off a perfectly weighted and timed pass from Katee Kimmey.

LVS head coach Jay Fitzgerald said, "We got pushed around a little in the first half but our team came alive, playing up to our standard in the second half and all the way through overtime.  I think we were in their half for all but 2 minutes in the last 15 minutes of play, including both overtimes."

The Lady Vikings sprinted into overtime and never stopped putting pressure on a solid Lynch team.  Even though Bishop Lynch took the 3 points as they won the penalty kick shootout 4-3, this was an amazing night for our community as they came out in full force.

Fitzgerald commented on the environment, "The soccer environment that these young ladies play at Nolan Catholic is one of the best in the country.  They are treated like professionals as they earn it and deserve it.  Playing one of the top schedules in the country, traveling from coast to coast, hosting the nations top showcase event, setting the benchmark in broadcasting all home matches, getting introduced like professional athletes on the state of the art pressbox and video board at one of the nicest stadium settings around...this is not your ordinary girls soccer program.  From top to bottom, from past to present to future, this program is top class and last night proved that, once again."

Hannah Allred, Emily Keoughan, and Kate Kleiser all scored in the shootout while GK, Briana Salinas saved 1 and forced 1 off the post in a extremely passionate, gutsy performance to keep her team in the game.

The Lady Vikings will take on John Paul on the road tonight with a 3:30pm kick off for the JV and a 5:00pm varsity kick-off.

On Tuesday the JV will host Keller High School at 4:30pm at Doskocil Stadium.  The varsity will conclude the week with their final district match at Prestonwood on Thursday and Senior Night on Friday at home vs HSAA.  The NCHS Royelles will perform at halftime on Friday helping the Lady Vikings recognize the 10 seniors that have paved the way for the younger generations of LVSers.