Niceville boys soccer fall in regional semis

By RANDY DICKSON

randyd@nwfdailynews.com

NICEVILLE — When the Niceville boys soccer team looks back on Tuesday’s Class 5A regional semifinals against Tallahassee Lincoln, the Eagles will think of opportunities lost.

Niceville controlled the ball in the final 20 minutes of play, but couldn’t find the net as the Trojans won 2-1.

John Reddick scored the winner in the 57th minute of play for Lincoln (17-6-5), which travels to Fleming Island for the regional finals on Friday.

The Eagles ended the season 24-4-2.

“It wouldn’t go in,” Niceville coach Wes Nelson said. “It got cleared off the line at least three different times.

“I hate it for these guys. They worked hard and the way they played they deserved to win, but that’s what happens in a game like this.”

The Trojans struck first when freshman Jarred Ingram scored in the 15th minute.

That 1-0 lead would stand until Niceville sophomore Pedro Alba scored off a rebound in the 26th minute.

The score was tied at the end of the half.

Niceville’s fortunes seemed to turn to misfortunes in the 50th minute.

With the score still tied at 1-1, Jake Pratt had a free kick from 50 yards out. Pratt’s kick seemed to angle perfectly toward the net and a host of Eagle teammates were waiting to slip the ball between the rails.

Pratt’s kick glanced off the head of an awaiting teammate, and much to the dismay of the Eagles, slipped just over the top of the goal.

Seven minutes later Reddick scored what turned out to be the game-winner, but at the game was far from over.

The Eagles turned up the heat in the final 20 minutes, forcing the Trojans into a defensive posture as they tried to slow the relentless attack.

But some sort of invisible shield seemed to help the Lincoln defenders turn away every Niceville shot.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Nelson said. “It just wouldn’t go in. I don’t have any other words to describe it.

“I was just waiting for it to happen. I thought once we scored one it would all start to happen, but the ball just wouldn’t go in the back of the net.”

In the end, Nelson was proud of the way his team continued to attack until the final whistle.

“It (the loss) wasn’t for lack of effort,” he said. “These guys gave me everything they had. They’re a great team. I don’t think they deserve to lose, but in life stuff like this happens.”