BECKER
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The Fairbanks boys soccer team traveled to Granville Christian Academy on Monday and came home with a 3-2 victory during Division III tournament action.
The Panthers went into the contest as the No. 15 seed and GCA was the No. 7 seed.
Austin Becker had a hat trick to lead the Panthers in a wild back-and-forth last few minutes of the game.
Granville Christian held a 1-0 at the half.
Becker converted a penalty kick with approximately 20 minutes remaining in the game.
A few minutes later, Mason Smith hit a shot from 25 yards out.
The keeper made the save, but gave up a rebound that Becker finished to put FHS up 2-1.
With approximately two minutes remaining in the game, the Panthers were trying to clear the ball out of their half of the field.
Granville Christian picked the ball off and lobbed it into the box for a tie score.
As the game clock wound down to less than a minute, the Panthers pulled off an incredible play to win the game.
With less than 30 seconds remaining, keeper Alex Adkins punted the ball the entire length of the field.
Becker brought the sphere down to his feet, beat his man and the keeper to give FHS the winning score.
“There was no scoreboard there, but there were less than 10 seconds left when Alex punted the game-winning assist to Austin,” said Fairbanks coach Matt Humphrey. “It was an incredible roller coaster of emotions, but we won and are still playing October soccer.”
The Panthers will travel to No. 8 Northside Christian Academy for a 5 p.m. game on Wednesday.
Alder girls triumph
Jonathan Alder’s girls soccer team opened Division II tournament competition with a 13-0 victory over Columbus International on Monday.
Sophia Thomas and Emily Piccolantonio each performed a hat trick (three goals).
Elaina Winslow tallied two goals, while single scores came from Avery Hecht, Sydnie Bushong, Emily Opatt, Lindsey Miller and Skye Bissell.
The third-seeded Lady Pioneers (15-1-1) will host No. 7 Bishop Hartley on Thursday at 7 p.m. for the sectional championship.