BRUNSWICK, Ohio — Mansfield Christian did everything it needed to do to win Wednesday’s Division III regional semifinal — except sneak a shot past Columbia goal keeper Trevor Fess.
The second-ranked Flames dominated possession through 80 minutes of regulation and another 30 minutes of overtime and unloaded on Fess without relent, but the senior made a remarkable 22 saves and the unranked Raiders stunned the defending Division III state champs with a penalty kick shootout victory at Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium.
Columbia (17-2-1) will play Archbold for the regional title and a berth in the state semifinals at noon Saturday at a site to be determined.
The Flames finished the season 17-1-2.
“I think that goal keeper had the game of his life,” Mansfield Christian coach Stephen Armstrong said.
Columbia coach Hank Proctor didn’t disagree.
“Trevor has been playing out of his mind, just out of his mind lately,” Proctor said. “It’s just unbelievable.”
Ball Control: Mansfield Christian’s hallmark possession game was on full display on an unusually mild Wednesday evening. The Flames spent almost the entire night in the scoring third while Columbia was content to pick its spots to counter attack.
“They stuck to their game plan. They defended well. That’s their strength,” Armstrong said. “We attacked well. We had a lot of shots on goal. A lot of defenders got bodies in front of our shots, too.
“They did exactly what they needed to do. (They are) a well coached team.”
Regulation: Brandon Mount gave Mansfield Christian a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick midway through the first half after David Cochran was fouled in the box. Columbia’s Justin Clark scored the equalizer with 11:28 to play in the first half on an assist from David Wos.
“It was a nice goal that they had,” Armstrong said. “It’s one of those things where we get lazy and they see that and take advantage … which is exactly what they needed to do.”
Penalty Kicks: The game remained tied through the final 40 minutes of regulation and both 15 minute overtime sessions, forcing a best-of-five penalty kick shootout.
Fess made a diving stop on the first attempt he faced. It was the only miss by either side as Columbia won the shootout 5-4.
“We just held in there. It was just wonderful the way we played,” Proctor said. “This team has played with a lot of heart since the playoffs started.”
Remarkable Run: The Flames will lose six seniors to graduation. That group helped MCS reach two consecutive state championship games and win the first ever state soccer title in Richland County history.
“It’s a special bunch of guys,” Armstrong said. “They left it on the field.”
