East Aurora downs Plainfield Central in OT

Updated: October 21, 2011 8:15PM

Fate seemed to be on Plainfield Central’s side during the Class 3A Plainfield North regional boys soccer championship game against East Aurora Friday in Plainfield.

It tied the game up in the final seconds, and East Aurora missed a penalty kick during the first overtime.

However, the Wildcats’ luck ran out shortly thereafter when East Aurora’s Juan Bustamante scored with 42.2 seconds left in the first overtime to give the No. 4 Tomcats a 5-4 victory over No. 12 Plainfield Central.

It was the eighth time the Wildcats fell in their quest to win the program’s first regional championship. East Aurora (15-4-4) won its second straight regional title and third overall.

“That was a great game,” Plainfield Central coach Kevin Fitzgerald said. “I know it’s a cliché, but they left it all on the field. It stings now. But, after a few days, when they look back, they can be proud this season. Tonight, we came up short.

Plainfield Central, which won its sixth straight Southwest Prairie Conference championship, ended the season 15-7-1.

“I don’t know a whole lot of people who thought we’d be playing tonight, much less going into overtime with (East Aurora),” Fitzgerald said.

Trailing 4-3 during the final seconds, Plainfield Central’s Josh Rosenbaum headed in a throw in from his brother, Dan, with 13.7 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

“These guys find a way and they found a way all season,” Fitzgerald said. “What more could you have asked for? We just fell short. That’s high school soccer during the state tournament in October.”

In the extra session, East Aurora’s scoring leader Abraham Kanneh hit the post on a penalty kick during the 87th minute.

“You almost thought it was destiny,” Fitzgerald said.

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