by Warren Kozireski
Junior Jimmy Williams scored his first goal of the season with a little more than three minutes remaining in regulation to lift Holley to a 1-0 victory over Kendall in boys soccer game played in 25 mph winds.
“The wind was a factor for both teams,” said Hawks head coach Dan Orbaker. “Neither team really controlled the ball in the offensive third of the field.”
Holley had two scoring opportunities prior to finally breaking up the scoreless contest. In the 53rd minute, Williams headed the ball to Tyler Chmylak whose shot was stopped by Kendall goalkeeper Garret Love.
With eight minutes remaining, Will Barniak fed a long pass to send Chmylak on a break, but Kendall senior defender Bryan Urquhart broke up the attempt before a shot.
Nick Winkley began the game-winning play with a long throw-in that was headed back to him. His chip pass above the box found Williams who put it into the upper right corner at 76:47.
Holley goalkeeper Cory Winter made two saves in helping the Hawks pick up their eighth shutout of the season and third against the Eagles.
“No matter what the team records are coming in, the Holley versus Kendall games are always tough,” said Orbaker.
The Hawks improved to 12-3 and, with one game remaining in the regular season, were likely to be seeded fourth behind Mynderse, Williamson and Byron-Bergen for the Section V playoffs and host a first round game.
