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South Effingham Wins PK Thriller, Advances to State
South Effingham Boys Soccer
South Effingham players erupt in celebration after a dramatic 2-2 win over Lakeside, clinched 6-5 in penalty kicks, in a first-round region tournament thriller at the Corral in Guyton. The Mustangs punched their ticket to the state tournament in unforgettable fashion after last season’s near miss. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

GUYTON, Ga. – South Effingham boys soccer coach Brandon Howard had a unique perspective on his team’s first-round region tournament match against Lakeside.

“It was sudden death and I was about to die,” Howard said.

The Mustangs didn’t. Instead, they delivered a wildly entertaining 2-2 win – prevailing 6-5 in penalty kicks – over the Panthers at the Corral.

South’s Jayden Porter-Macias converted to open a second round of penalty kicks, and Lakeside’s ensuing shot sailed over the crossbar, triggering a jubilant Mustangs celebration.

With the win, South Effingham (8-5) advanced to the state tournament after falling short last season with a school-record 12 wins.

The Mustangs will face North subregion champion Evans (14-2) on Tuesday, March 31, in the region semifinals.

South Effingham Boys Soccer
Kaleb Galan celebrates after scoring the dramatic equalizer with 3:04 remaining in the second overtime to keep South Effingham alive against Lakeside. The Mustangs, playing a man down, forced penalty kicks and kept their postseason hopes alive. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

Team effort shines

“It was a full team effort. It was glory to God,” said goalkeeper Ryan Ellwood, who made nine saves. “We didn’t die under the pressure. We had to step up, and everyone became a leader for everyone.”

Tim France gave South an early lift, scoring just 77 seconds into the match for a 1-0 lead.

South Effingham Boys Soccer
South Effingham goalkeeper Ryan Ellwood makes one of his nine saves to keep the Mustangs within reach against Lakeside in a first-round region tournament match. Ellwood battled through a brief bout of dizziness and returned in overtime as South advanced in penalty kicks. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

Lakeside rallies

Lakeside (3-10) responded with a relentless second-half push, outshooting South 16-5 after halftime.

Brendan Campbell tied the match with 29:05 remaining in regulation.

At the 12:02 mark, South midfielder Jude Rowe received a red card, forcing the Mustangs to play a man down the rest of the way. About 10 minutes later, Ellwood briefly left the field with dizziness but returned in overtime.

Lakeside took a 2-1 lead on Leiken Dale’s penalty kick during the first 10-minute overtime period.

South Effingham Boys Soccer
South Effingham players gather at midfield as Jayden Porter-Macias steps up for a decisive penalty kick in the shootout against Lakeside. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

Late equalizer

South found its answer late.

Kaleb Galan tapped in the equalizer on a centering pass from Jaxson Fronczek with 3:04 remaining in the second overtime, sending the match to penalty kicks. It was the Mustangs’ only shot during the two overtime periods.

“You couldn’t ask for a better ending,” Howard said. “It was a perfect goal, and the boys’ energy began to rise again.”

South Effingham Boys Soccer
South Effingham’s Jayden Porter-Macias converts to open a second round of penalty kicks against Lakeside, putting immediate pressure on the Panthers in a shootout the Mustangs would ultimately win. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald)

Penalty kick drama

For the fifth time this season, Lakeside lost a match decided by penalty kicks.

“Last year, we fell short of going to state, and we were going to take advantage of this opportunity,” Ellwood said.