By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Updated: Friday, November 6, 2009 7:58 AM CST

FARMINGTON — A pinpoint free kick by junior Drew Fuemmeler from 30 yards out brought the Farmington soccer team within striking distance of its first state-playoff appearance in school history on Thursday night.

But a costly defensive lapse enabled defending Class 2, District 1 champion Notre Dame to net the equalizer three minutes later, and propelled the perennial power into a familiar sudden-death scenario.

The Bulldogs converted their first four attempts during a dramatic sequence of penalty kicks following two scoreless overtime periods, and dashed the Knights’ title hopes with a 2-1 victory.

Farmington trailed the shootout phase when its second kick from senior Trevor Ratliff was denied by Bulldogs keeper James Holloway, but was granted a reprieve when a potential clincher from Ke-Ke Kellum missed wide.

Sophomore Cory Herzog stepped forward with a chance to force extra kicks and prolong the contest as the captivated crowd fell silent, but Notre Dame erupted in celebration when his drive clanged off the right post.

Notre Dame (14-12) survived its third straight overtime contest of the tournament to capture its ninth district crown and fourth in a row. Penalty kicks also decided the Bulldogs’ semifinal triumph over Hillsboro.

“Cory showed guts as a sophomore wanting to take that kick in a pressure situation,” said Farmington coach Rusty Sancegraw. “An inch or two to the left and it probably goes in. It was just a tough way to end the game.”

The Bulldogs resisted an energetic start by the top-seeded and state-ranked Knights, whose potent offense had overwhelmed Fredericktown and Perryville in decisive fashion earlier this week.

Farmington controlled possession throughout much of the early action despite failing to score, and surrendered only two distant shots which never reached goalie John Schnurbusch.

Knights junior Zach Thomas threaded an excellent cross to Ratliff during the seventh minute after slipping past a defender off the dribble, but Holloway smothered a deflected touch near the goal line.

Holloway stopped another threat from the tandem of Thomas and Ratliff at the 24:00 mark, and added two leaping saves in traffic on dangerous chips later in the half to finished with nine for the night.

“I was very pleased with our intensity at the beginning of the game,“ added Sancegraw. “I thought we had some quality chances before slowing down a bit. I kept telling our boys to keep their emotions in check and save energy for later. They really went after it early.”

Standout scorer Pete Grindel was constantly marked by the Notre Dame defense, but switched to a less-congested midfield position and drew the foul that helped the Knights strike in the 58th minute.

Fuemmeler sent a bending kick toward the Notre Dame goal that eluded two streaking teammates, but made a sudden right turn inside the far post on the second bounce, giving Farmington a desired 1-0 lead.

But the Knights endured some anxious moments by failing to clear, and were eventually burned when a ball skipped past the last defender. Lynch gained possession on the run and netted the tying goal from close range.

“I don’t think we had a let-up there,” added Sancegraw. “We just didn’t get back and mark on the deep ball into the corner. (Notre Dame) is a dangerous team when they attack from the corner.”

The Bulldogs generated two dangerous chances during the first 15-minute overtime session, but quick shots from Jonathan Lynch and Jacob Pewitt missed the mark from the edge of the box.

Farmington saw its 11-match winning streak snapped, and finished its breakout season with a 21-2 record.