IMS 1, Burlington Notre Dame 2

by Marcus Miller
On a wet dreary night May 20, IMS stepped on to a water soaked field in Burlington to take on Notre Dame. It didn’t take long to realize that play would be affected by the poor field conditions as the ball would hit a puddle of water and suddenly stop, or as guys slipped and fell while preparing to kick the ball. In spite of the conditions, IMS jumped to an early lead as Vince Rhodes slipped a ball to Jacob Yoder who pounded it by the goalie.
Notre Dame responded by bringing more guys forward in an attempt to equalize the score. They nearly succeeded when they were awarded a penalty kick halfway through the first period. Goalie Michael Darby stepped up and made the save to preserve the 1-0 lead. Play was back and forth the rest of the half as both teams struggled with the deteriorating field conditions.
In the second half, Notre Dame moved their seniors to the front line and they responded with energetic play. Their first goal came on a corner kick as Darby was able to deflect the first shot but was unable to grab the second shot. IMS responded as Truman Shetler took several shots but could not find the net. Rhodes and Yoder nearly combined for a goal but the shot bounced harmlessly off the post. As regulation time ticked down Notre Dame brought their players forward. As a defender slipped, a shot was put on goal. Darby went to grab the ball but with the wet conditions the ball slipped through his hands.
IMS responded and as the seconds ticked off the clock, Shetler beat a defender and put a shot on goal. The Notre Dame goalie grabbed the ball and fell backwards into the goal but in the judgment of the official the ball did not cross the line and equalize the score.
IMS ends the regular season 14-1 and begins district play Wednesday at home against the winner of Central Lee and Danville.