Tallulah Falls’ magical season came to a close in a 3-1 overtime loss to #7-ranked Whitefield Academy at home on Tuesday night. The top-ranked Indians held a 1-0 lead at the break before seeing the Wolf Pack score three straight to move on to the Elite 8.
Simeon Conjagic placed a perfect ball in the box to Koen Eller, who slipped one past the fingers of the keeper for the game’s first goal 22 minutes into the action. That lead held strong to the break, with the defense and keeper Kelton Reynolds playing exceptionally well in the first half.
Whitefield Academy found the equalizer less than 2 minutes into the second half. Both teams had several opportunities through the rest of regulation, including a near shot on goal in the final seconds by Austin Ball. The 1-1 game forced overtime, consisting of a pair of 10-minute halves.
In the first overtime half, Jake Hall nearly gave TFS a lead, but his strike glanced off the fingertips of the keeper and ricocheted off the crossbar. Whitefield scored 3 minutes into the first overtime half, which proved to be the game-winner. In the final 10-minute overtime half, the visitors put another ball through with just 5 seconds on the clock.
“Tough loss but a great season,” says coach Jeremy Stille. “Very proud of the boys and the work they put in. Grew tremendously this season. Now we say goodbye to our seniors, Simeon and Jake, and start building for next season.”
The 3 goals allowed matched the entire season total allowed by the Indians’ defense, as Tallulah Falls finishes 16-1 overall with a #1 ranking and a Region Championship to go along with the first-ever Sweet 16 run.
GOALS
Koen Eller (4)
ASSISTS
Simeon Conjagic (12)
