Late chance by Navigators denied by Libengood, Panthers hold on for win

NORFOLK, Neb. -- On senior night for the Panthers, Norfolk boys soccer held on in a win for their best start since 2006 with a 3-2 win over Lincoln North Star.

In a game of momentum shifts, the Panthers struck first after an Isidro Rosas header over the Navigators keeper broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.

Rosas made another appearance with an assist in the 39th minute after another headed goal by Chase Swanson gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead into halftime.

To start the second half, the Navigators struck first after a corner kick was headed into the back of the net in the 48th minute by Ben Dett.

After a hand-ball in the box in the 55th minute, a penalty shot by Vidal Aguirre was nestled into the bottom left corner making it a 3-1 game.

The Navigators gained momentum just 10 minutes later after a corner curled into the box by Rian Jorgensen and careened off the post and into the net to make it a 3-2 deficit for Lincoln North Star.

In the final five minutes of the game, a late penalty was awarded to the Navigators.

Senior Kail Libengood kept the game from going to overtime and denied the last chance for North Star.

Norfolk (8-1) now has their best start since 2006 where they went to make the state tournament and will play Lincoln East on Saturday.

Lincoln North Star (0-6) takes on Lincoln Northeast on Wednesday, April 10.

 

NORFOLK:

Goals:

- 21' Isidro Rosas, 39' Chase Swanson, 55' Vidal Aguirre

Lincoln North Star:

Goals:

- 48' Ben Dett, 65' Rian Jorgensen