Last-Second Penalty Sees Neuqua Past ND De La Salette
Last-Second Penalty Sees Neuqua Past ND De La Salette
Two of the stronger teams in Illinois faced off over the weekend and the game proved to be as close as you'd hope.
La Salette was undefeated in-state and Neuqua had lost just the one game as they traveled downstate to Georgetown, Ill.
Match conditions were ideal save for the gusting winds that made the kicking game a material challenge for both sides. The match started out in typical fashion with both sides exchanging some hard-charging runs to probe and test the other before Neuqua opened its account with a penalty kick at the 11-minute mark to go up 3-0.
La Salette took control utilizing the pace of its backs and camped itself inside the Neuqua 22 for a stretch before being rewarded with a try following a penalty from five meters out. The conversion attempt was wide but La Salette now led 5-3 at 17 minutes into the contest.
Just two minutes later La Salette found paydirt again after some well-worked ball to the outside and poor tackling from the visiting Wildcats. With the conversion good it was 12-3 for La Salette. Barely four minutes later La Salette again exposed the Neuqua defense and struck from midfield on a long break and went in under the posts. With the conversion it was now 19-3 after 24 minutes.
But Neuqua wasn't done. They used the strength of their bigger pack to break down the Lions' defense and that opened an opportunity out wide for an unconverted try. La Salette then finished off the half marching their way into Neuqua territory and run through 20 phases close to the Wildcats' line. However, Neuqua's defense got the turnover and kicked clear to end the half
For the second half Neuqua had the wind at their backs and they started to work their way forward. It took 12 minutes but finally Neuqua's forwards got the ball over to make it 19-13. Five minutes later Neuqua crossed again after a line break and a grubber recovered in the corner. Now it was 19-18.
La Salette responded and scored a well-worked try through their forwards on a series of pick -and-goes from short range. The wind was not the conversion's friend and it remained 24-18 for the hosts.
Not to be deterred, Neuqua launched the restart deep and aided by the wind pinned La Salette deep in their 22. A not-straight call on the lineout gave Neuqua a scrum and barged across two phases later to close back to within a point. Neuqua finally solved the wind and the conversion was good to make it 25-24 for Neuqua with just two minutes to go in regulation time.
After the restart La Salette attacked and were awarded a kickable penalty. They passed on a chance at goal and went for thr try. Neuqua defended well, and finally La Salette opted to drop a goal. That was blocked, but the Lions recovered the ball and got another penalty, went for the try again, and finally Kevin Quigley slotted a drop goal to put his side ahead 27-25.
There was time for one more sequence, and Neuqua kicked deep. The chase was good and they forced a penalty. No time left, so the Wildcats pointed to the posts and Matt Chevalier calmly put the kick over to win the game 28-27 for Neuqua.
It was a dramatic and well-played game and backed up both teams' status as among the best in Illinois.
Neuqua 28
Tries: Aidan Nash, Andrew Cohen, Nick Meger, Matt Chevalier
Convs: Chevalier
Pens: Chevalier 2
Notre Dame de La Salette 27
Tries: Luke Pedry, Eamon Martin, William Fitzpatrick, Kevin Quigley
Convs: Quigley 2
DGs: Quigley
