The Liberators pulled off a dramatic victory in overtime against Cape Notre Dame. The winning goal came in the 92nd minute of the first overtime. Bradley Stillwagon scored the game winner off of a flip throw by Matt Magana. More details later on this result. Bolivar now improves to 23-5 and will contend for it’s first ever state championship. Game time is noon, 11/20 vs St. Dominic.

Playing on a super fast turf surface, the Liberators struggled to get into a continuous flow with the game, but the came out really strong in the first half and had several good opportunities to put Notre Dame away early. The shots and opportunities would just not fall. One shot which was scored, was not allowed as a goal by the official (we have proof with a photo that will be posted later). Jacob Hampton headed the ball into the goal. The ball hits the side net, but the keeper found a way to get a hand on it and throw it back out. The ball was then cleared by a defender. Although upset with the non allowance of the goal, the Liberators did not allow that to deter them from thier mission. The continued to play hard and the game would end up 0-0 at the half. Notre Dame would open up the second half with lots of hustle and some good possession of the ball. The Liberators struggled to get into a groove early in the half. The crowds for both teams (large crowds!) were growing restless in aticipation of the first goal to be scored. That goal came in the 54th minute when #8 (?) found the back of the net with a rocket shot from 18 yards out. The Liberators were upset, but they had been in this position before, being down by a goal against a good team. They did not panic and in the 64th minute, Mitchell Waters placed a shot into the goal off a corner kick from Toad Slagle. The Liberators gained some life and a little momentum, but Notre Dame would really press hard trying to get the winning goal. Keeper Jordan Stanton made a huge diving save when he punched the ball one handed out away from the goal. Sweeper Toad Slagle also came up with a big save when he stepped in front of an open goal and took a shot off his chest. The Liberators would not be denied! On the other end, Liberators Jacob Hampton and Bradley Stillwagon would have some great shots and opportunites, but those shots would not get by the stingy Notre Dame defense either. Finally the game would go to overtime. Some fatigue had set in for Bolivar, but the guys would not give up and go away. In the 92nd minute, Matt Magana sent a ball across the box from a flip throw. Bradley Stillwagon read the ball perfectly and fired a shot back across the goal with his head and found the side net for the game winner sending the Liberators to the title game!

With this win, this team now ties a team record for most wins in a season with 23. The senior class continues to extend thier own record of most wins by a class over the four year period. They are now at 80 wins in four years. Some other stats/info:

Shots: Bolivar 12, Notre Dame 6
Corners: Bolivar 7, Notre Dame 5

Notre Dame has been in four consecutive final fours, winning the state championship twice.

The large crowds for both teams were great!

CONGRATULATIONS LIBERATORS!!