Tiger soccer's defensive stand falls short in first round vs. Bishop Kelley

TULSA — A couple of inches changed the outcome of Tahlequah boys soccer's return to the State playoffs.

With time running out in the first half, Monday, May 4, the Tigers were pushing on the Bishop Kelley goalie. A Caston Wilson header glanced off a Comet defender and hit the upright, keeping the game tied 0-0 going to halftime.

After the 10-minute break, the Comets needed five minutes to find the back of the net to take the first lead. They added on with about 15 minutes left to secure the 2-0 win to move on to the first round of the playoffs.

"It was even in the first half and we just lost our discipline; 100% we panicked," THS head coach Greg Hall said.

A back-and-forth battle ensued for the first 40 minutes, with both teams getting some early shots off, but nothing near a goal. Over the last 20 minutes of the first half, the intensity on both sides heated up.

Gabe Czlonka started an attack on the goal, rushing down the field and sending a shot soaring on goal that was cut off by the Comets. Two minutes later, THS senior goalie Christian Sosa had to stave off a goal attempt from Bishop Kelley.

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Tiger goalie Christian Sosa makes a leaping save on a free kick while Gabe Czlonka (10) and Isaac Hicks (15) look on, Monday, May 4. The Comets beat the Tigers 2-0.

About nine minutes later, Sosa made the play of the night, making a leaping save to keep a ball out of the top right corner of the goal to keep the game scoreless.

Over the final two minutes, the Tigers had two shot attempts stopped. The first was saved by the Bishop Kelley goalie and the second was Wilson's shot off the upright.

Within just a few minutes into the second half, the Comets were clearly showing more pressure on the Tigers' defense. After missing their first shot of the second half, the Comets snuck one in to take the lead.

Through most of the rest of the second half, the Comets' defense clamped down the Tigers, leading to minimal second-half shots on goal.

"We beat ourselves," Hall said. "I feel like Bishop Kelley didn't do anything special. Our goalkeeper did a really good job, but we just lost due to our discipline and that is 100% on me."

The loss marks the first playoff game for the Tigers since the 2015 season.