EVANSTON — The Red Devil boys’ soccer team ended the regular season on a high note on Friday, May 4, with a 2-1 win over Jackson. As the final home match of the season and senior night, head coach Brian Richins said, “It was exactly the way senior night should go.” 

The boys came out strong at the beginning of the match and dominated possession. Solid build-up and passing generated chances for the boys early on, with a header taken by Weston Wiley off a Richins corner just missing. 

The EHS boys continued to generate chances throughout the first half, with a couple of free kicks taken by Richins just missing the net or being stopped by the Jackson keeper. Jackson had a couple of opportunities in the final 15 minutes of the half, but both sailed just over the goal. 

Some excitement came with 2:56 remaining on the clock when Evanston keeper Latham Chandler went down in the box. There was a flurry of activity as Jackson tried to score and the Devils tried desperately to clear the ball, with Tyus Cornia ultimately successfully kicking the ball out of the box and giving EHS a chance to settle. 

Another EHS header off a Richins corner kick in the closing two minutes of the half hit the post, while a Jackson shot with two seconds remaining in the half was high. The half ended with a 0-0 score. 

Coach Richins said, “As the match played out, it was plain to see that we were an improved team, a team that was playing with a purpose.” 

The solid Red Devil play continued in the second half, although some mental lapses still cost the team when they allowed Jackson to score the first goal of the match. The Devils, however, fought back from the deficit and were able to earn a penalty shot that tied the game. 

The match looked from that point as if it would end in a 1-1 draw; however, the EHS boys didn’t give up. 

With just seconds left in the match Nick Kunz took a shot that just missed, but the ball landed at the feet of Jess Richins. Richins seized the opportunity, pushed between two defenders and placed the winning shot past the keeper and into the net with six seconds remaining on the clock. 

Coach Richins said, “All week I asked the boys to give a little extra in practice, the little extra it would take to win the match.” He was especially pleased to see the boys continue to fight after finding themselves behind again, “Different than usual, we came back and earned that penalty shot and tied the game. I am extremely proud of how hard the boys worked as a team and their ability to fight off the disappointment of falling behind again.” 

Of his late goal, Jess Richins said, “It was a really great way to finish the regular season.” 

Next up for the boys is a match-up with Rock Springs at the Wyoming 4A West regional tournament, at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, in Green River. The Devils will look to continue their improved play and winning ways against the Tigers, who came out on top in their two previous meetings this season.