This year’s edition of the Tippecanoe men’s soccer program hasn’t had to face much adversity on the field this season, but with a trip to the state title game on the line on Wednesday night, adversity stared them in the face.
A scoreless first half against Bishop Watterson gave way to a 1-0 Red Devil lead midway through the second half when Caleb Ransom found the back of the net. But the celebration didn’t last long as a Watterson free kick was ruled a goal after initially seeming like a save.
With the wind out of their sails, Tipp hung on the rest of regulation and through the first 15-minute overtime period.
As the time ticked away on the second extra period, the game seemed destined to head to penalty kicks. But with 3 minutes remaining, junior Landon Haas did what stars do. As he gained control of the ball just inside the 30-yard line on the football field, he saw the keeper cheating forward. He took a touch and ripped a long-range shot that sailed just over the outstretched arm of the keeper and into the net.
The ensuing celebration left even Haas laid out on the turf, exhausted and cramping, but euphoric in victory. It was his 32nd goal of the season, which is just 2 short of the single-season record set by Kris Barney in 2001. More importantly, it sent the team to the state title game for the 3rd time in the last 5 years.
Tipp will face Richfield Revere at 1pm on Saturday in Historic Crew Stadium, looking for their 2nd state championship in program history. Revere (20-0-2) is ranked 1st in the state poll and 15th all-time in the state of Ohio in wins (532). The two historic programs have never faced each other.