Local Sports Journal

The Whitehall Vikings came out on the short end of a 2-1 soccer score on Friday night in a Division 3 regional soccer game at Elk Rapids.

The host Elks now advance to the state semifinals while Whitehall finished with a 20-4-2 record.

“Both teams did a really good job of limiting each others offense,” Whitehall coach Bryan Mahan said. “We got a little banged up in the Orchard View game. We are a fast team on dry ground. It just took us a little bit to get into our rhythm.”

After a scoreless 80 minutes of regulation, the Vikings got on the board first in the first overtime.

Two minutes into the 10-minute extra period, Ray Copley set up Chris Saunders.

Elk Rapids scored its goal on the opening kickoff of the second overtime. The Elks kick went to a Vikings’ defender, who couldn’t clear the ball out of danger. Seconds later, the game was tied.

“Other than that, our defense played an incredible game,” Whitehall coach Bryan Mahan said. “It was 100 minutes of soccer and we made one mistake.”

In the shootout, Elk Rapids’ goalkeeper saved the first Vikings’ shot and missed the last one. Elk Rapids won the shootout 4-3.

Whitehall had eight shots on goal. Keeper Isaac Love made six saves in the Viking’s net.

“It’s our third year in the regional finals, which is just incredible,” Mahan said. “The nice thing is we played very well.”