Lancers Defeat Jaguars, Advance to Quarterfinals

East defeated the BV West Jaguars 2-0 for the regional trophy and a shot at the state tournament. The Lancers got off to a rocky start against the Jaguars when senior defender Geordy Williams suffered a concussion two minutes into the game, but after 15 minutes it was clear the Lancers held the upper hand in the match up. They out passed and out shot a much less experienced team while East head coach Jamie Kelly kept the legs on the field fresh with a steady cycle of substitutions.

Both teams were scoreless going into half, but started hot in the second half with a goal from senior Bryce McClanahan. Both teams played strong although not very physical until the Lancers picked up two yellow cards in the second half within a minute of each other. On a breakaway senior Carter Olander had a hard collision with Jaguars keeper Justin Madden and while Olander suffered no injury, Madden would be out for the rest of the game. With under two minutes to play senior Clint Dunn put another point on the board for the Lancers, sealing their victory and spot in the quarter final in the state tournament. The Lancers will host Lawrence High, a team they beat previously 6-1 in the regular season, this Tuesday at the Shawnee Mission Soccer Complex.

This victory was coach Jamie Kelly’s fifteenth win on the 2012 season, his career high. It was also a big victory for a program that has struggled against BV West, the men losing to them 4-3 in the first round of regionals in 2009 and the Lady Lancers suffering a similar fate in 2011.

https://twitter.com/MjKaskie/status/261677790699606018

Check out a gallery from the Lancers’ victory here.