By Roger Gordon

Correspondent

Kent Roosevelt played three tight games over the span of the last week.

The Rough Riders won the first two.

It felt like they won the third game, too, despite a 1-1 tie Sept. 30 at talented Aurora.

Roosevelet now has a 7-4-3 record.

That’s what happens when your team scores a goal with 30 seconds left in the game to tie the score 1-1.

Sophomore center midfielder Callaghan Knapp did just that off an assist from senior defender Sam Snellenberger to earn the deadlock with the Greenmen.

Kent Roosevelt held the third-ranked team in the state in Division III scoreless for the first 77 minutes of the game.

“Aurora had been scoring goals at such a great clip, so we really focused on shutting down their attack and trying to counter,” head coach Garyn Daniels said. “Defensively, our back line worked extremely hard. It was just a fight.

“Aurora is ranked as high as they are for a reason. It was a very competitive, very well-played game. I told the guys after the game, ‘We just started a four-game road trip to end the season. That was a playoff atmosphere. You’re going to have to fight’.”

Three days earlier, on Sept. 27, Kent Roosevelt won 2-0 at home over Hoban despite injuries and illnesses plaquing the squad.

“Some of our younger guys got some chances to play,” said Daniels. “I definitely, though, feel like we’ve found our groove. It was hot, a Saturday afternoon. I told the guys, ‘That’s what you can expect if you want to make a run in the playoffs. You have to get used to playing in that afternoon heat.’ They were organized, they played well and they played hard.”

Pacing the Rough Riders were junior wing Isan Roberts, who scored a goal and an had an assist; Knapp, who scored the other goal; and sophomore defensive right outside back Cameron Lowe, who dished out an assist. Junior goalkeeper Eli Barkley made three saves.

“Callaghan has just been on fire this year,” said the coach. “Eli has been playing well down the stretch.”

Two nights earlier, on Sept. 25, Kent Roosevelt nipped Lake on the road 2-1.

“Lake has always played us tough,” Daniels said. “It was a very competitive match. They play really hard. For us, we were able to finish. It was a very big playoff atmosphere there.”

Senior forward Simon Kahn scored a goal in the first half that was assisted by sophomore forward Kellen Obraza. Classmate midfielder/forward Simon Hassler tallied the winning goal in the second half, which was assisted by Kahn.

“The two of them have been together a long time,” Daniels said, “so it was something we’ve seen for years.”