WATERTOWN, S.D. — A dream season ended in heartbreak on a windy Saturday afternoon as top-seeded Sioux Falls Lincoln defeated Watertown 2-1 in a penalty kick shootout to capture the Class AA Boys State Soccer Championship at Allen Mitchell Field.
Weather helped shaped the opening half, as a cold south wind gusting up to 40 mph limited both attacks and kept the match scoreless at halftime.
Watertown broke the deadlock 6:15 into the second half when Roger Carranza scored his 23rd goal of the season. Carranza, who was named the offensive player of the game, gave the Arrows a 1-0 advantage.
Sioux Falls Lincoln answered with 5:46 remaining in the second half, converting a penalty kick to tie the match 1-1.
Following two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods, the title was decided in a shootout. Both teams converted their first four penalty kicks. Sioux Falls Lincoln then blocked Watertown’s fifth attempt by Xane Fligge.
Marlo Gerling stepped up next for the Patriots, burying his penalty kick into the upper-right corner of the net to seal the victory and claim Sioux Falls Lincoln’s fourth Class AA championship.
Watertown finishes its historic season with a 16-1-1 record. The match marked the final high school appearance for 16 graduating seniors.
Other championship action
Girls Class AA: Harrisburg earned its fifth consecutive state championship with a 2-0 victory over Pierre.
Boys Class A: James Valley Christian secured back-to-back titles, shutting out Hot Springs 4-0.
Girls Class A: Dakota Valley defeated Sioux Falls Christian 2-1 in a shootout, reversing the outcome of last year’s championship match.
