Fink hat trick leads Cyclone soccer boys past LC
HARLAN (April 1) -- The surprise of Monday’s soccer match between Harlan Community and Lewis Central wasn’t the fact that the Cyclone boys won, but the manner in which they did so.
Dodging several early bullets during a scoreless first half initially controlled by the Titans, HCHS gradually took over the match from a possession and opportunity standpoint and scored four goals in a 25-minute span of the second half to win 4-0 at Merrill Field.
The 15th-ranked (2A) Cyclones improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the Hawkeye Ten Conference - avenging a 2-1 loss from last year - while the 12th-ranked (2A) Titans lost their season opener.
Many of the final stats were about even, but certainly not the scoreboard as HCHS put four goals past 6-foot-7 LC goalie and Xavier University recruit Cole Jensen.
Cyclone junior Cole Kramer broke a scoreless tie early in the second half on a breakaway goal over Jensen’s head before junior Jordan Fink returned to the field following a yellow card infraction to score the next three goals for his first varsity hat trick. Fink’s last two goals - one on a penalty kick - came off the rebound after Jensen spilled a couple of save opportunities in front of the net.
HCHS head coach Dave Voge told his players that Jensen is probably one of the best goalies, if not the best, in the entire state.
“That’s what he’s considered, that’s what he’s talked up to be, and to put four goals on him like that is absolutely amazing,” Voge said. “I told them to shoot it low and hard and a couple of those he spilled them out and we were there for the follow.”
Another huge play involving a goalie came with 21:35 left in the second half. HCHS led 2-0 at the time and was called for a foul in the box, leading to a PK attempt for LC’s Paul Devine. The shot appeared destined for the right corner of the net, but Cyclone sophomore Konner Leinen made a diving stop for one of his five saves on the night.
“Play of the game... perfect hands,” Voge said. “Huge momentum shifter."