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Boys soccer: Jacobs, Wheeling play to a tie

Missed opportunities.

Converting only 1 goal on 16 shots, Jacobs was forced to settle for a 1-1 tie with Wheeling in nonconference boys soccer action in Algonquin Saturday.

"Not being able to finish has been the story of our season," said Jacobs coach AJ Cappello. "We get good scoring chances and we can't put the ball in the net. With the (Fox Valley) conference season starting we need to start finishing. I liked our effort today against a very good Wheeling team."

Tied at 1-1 and less than a minute remaining in the contest, the Golden Eagles (2-2-3) had three golden chances to take the lead.

With 58 seconds left, Colin Walsh sneaked past the Wheeling (7-1-1) defense and had an open shot on goal from 10 yards out but the ball sailed over the net.

With 46 ticks left, Jacobs couldn't take advantage of a Wildcat turnover as Noah Melick's shot from 5 yards out flew wide and left.

The Golden Eagles had one more chance to score as Melick outran the Wheeling defense and had a breakaway shot on goalie Jose Castillo, but Castillo made a diving save to preserve the tie.

Castillo registered 12 saves for the Wildcats.

"Jose is one of our captains and he has had an outstanding senior season so far," said Wheeling coach Kevin Lennon. "He is one of our leaders and he organizes everybody on the field. Even when we had a turnover or breakdown Jose would make the big save."

Jacobs also got a solid effort in the goal from senior Ethan Pickering, who collected 6 saves.

"In three years as a starter Ethan has gotten better every season," said Cappello. "He has worked his tail off and has turned into a very good, steady goalie. He was all-tournament at Barrington and is off to a good start this season."

The visiting Wildcats struck first when Jonathan Sanchez scored off a perfect pass from Konrad Malinowski with 14:04 remaining left in the first half.

The Golden Eagles, who misfired on their first 6 shots on goal. knotted the score at 1-1 on a goal from Melick off an assist by Patrick Murphy with 8:04 left in the first 40 minutes.

The defenses and goalies dominated the final 48 minutes and 4 seconds as neither team could dent the scoreboard.

"We did some good things today against a very good Jacobs team," said Lennon. "We have to finish better and do a better job on defense. We gave them too many scoring chances."

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