By early Wednesday evening, Caiden Stoneburner’s light blue jersey had become populated by assorted patches of brown.
Each represented a time Center Grove’s senior goalkeeper went fully horizontal in an attempt to keep a Southport kick or header from reaching the back of the Trojans’ goal.
As for Stoneburner’s jersey being soaked, a wet field — and perhaps some tears — were to blame.
Center Grove lost a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime decision to the Cardinals in the first semifinal of the Class 3A sectional at Whiteland, the harsh reality placing a lid on a 7-5-5 season. Southport (13-4-1), meanwhile, returns Saturday afternoon to face 19th-ranked Perry Meridian in the championship match.
“Unfortunately, it was our last (match), and we just played like it was our last one,” said Stoneburner, pausing to collect himself. “Had an unfortunate call in the box where they ended up getting a goal … we thought we had it. Unfortunately, they scored the PK, but we just didn’t finish out.
“But this experience has been amazing. I started playing soccer my sophomore year, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have so many great memories of this team.”
Center Grove and Southport played to a 1-1 tie on Sept. 23, but with postseason advancement now the prize, a deadlock wasn’t an option.
The match contained shifts in momentum, from the Cardinals scoring the first goal only 36 seconds in to the Trojans responding with two of their own — the first an own goal off the head of a Southport defender and the second by junior forward Landen Montfort with 12:45 remaining in the second half.
With 1:55 showing and the Trojans trying to hold on, Southport’s leading scorer all season, senior midfielder Albert Thang, was awarded a penalty kick, which he converted past a diving Stoneburner.
Center Grove coach Jameson McLaughlin protested the call, but to no avail.
“(Referee) said there was a hand ball in the box, and it was clearly a yard or two outside the box,” McLaughlin said. “It wasn’t even close. The (assistant referee) even told me that it was outside of the box, and he went and told the center ref and the center ref still said no, it was in the box.
“(Center Grove) should’ve won the game. It was taken away from us. I hate saying that because I’m not one to ever say that, but that one was taken away from us.”
With 5:06 left in the first overtime session, Thang struck again, his gorgeous long-range boot from in front of the Trojans bench bending right to left and accounting for what proved to be the winning goal.
Center Grove’s sectional roster included eight seniors — including Stoneburner, who, according to his coach, was money in front of the net even in a losing effort.
“He made three or four saves in the second half that, I mean, if he doesn’t make them, it’s over a long time ago,” McLaughlin said. “There was one within two yards where he popped it over the goal. He kept us in the game. He was phenomenal.”
