Plainfield Central Falls Short Against Aurora East

figured destiny was on its side during the final minutes of regulation and in overtime during the Class 3A Plainfield North regional boys soccer championship game against Aurora East Friday in Plainfield.

Plainfield Central tied the game in the final seconds and Aurora East missed a penalty kick during the first overtime.

However, the Wildcats’ luck ran out shortly thereafter when Aurora East’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. Aurora East (15-4-4), which is ranked No. 4 in the Chicagoland area by www.yourseason.com, won its second straight and third regional title.

“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 this year, ended the season 15-7-1.

“I don’t think a whole lot of people thought we’d be playing tonight, much less going into overtime with (Aurora East),” 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, Aurora East’s goals leader Abraham Kanneh hit the post on a penalty kick during the 87th minute.

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

Both squads put on an offensive show.

Plainfield Central led twice in the first half. The Wildcats took an early 1-0 when senior Jon Iniguez opened the scoring.

Eddie Guytan’s goal off a pretty header by David Reynoso during the 13th minute tied it at 1-all.

Plainfield Central junior Dan Rosenbaum answered when he headed in a pass from Miguel Duran. It gave the underdogs a 2-1 lead with 22:05 to play in the first half.

Aurora East scored twice to take a 3-2 lead at the half.

Frankie Ortiz’s left-footed, one timer from 25 yards out tied it at 2-2 during the 22nd minute of action.

Moments later, Danny Miranda headed in a rebound off a shot by Corral to give the Tomcats the lead.

During the 47th minute, Nick Belom headed in a pass from Nick Castellucci to forge another tie at 3-all.

During the 67th minute, Aurora East’s Victor Corral hustled up the far side line and lifted a crossing pass. It hit a Wildcat defender and found the back of the net for an own goal and a 4-3 Tomcat lead.

Plainfield Central beat Neuqua Valley 1-0 in overtime via an own goal.

“I think the own goals evened out tonight so I guess turnaround is fair play,” Fitzgerald said.