Traverse City Record-Eagle

Sports

October 27, 2012

Leland advances to D4 semis in shootout

SUTTONS BAY — Seven was Leland's lucky number Friday.

The Comets went to the seventh shooter with Hart to decide the Division 4 regional championship.

Tony Mosqueda's goal on that seventh shot ended up as the 2-1 winner, propelling Leland to Wedesday's semifinals in Big Rapids.

The victory puts Leland (25-3) in the Final Four for the first time in decades.

"Someone said 1982," Comets coach Joe Burda said. "It's been a long, long time.

"It's big. These seniors don't want to quit. They're just going with it."

Luke Nesbitt scored off a Dylan Jolliffe assist 1:46 into the game, but Hart answered seven minutes before halftime to knot it up.

After neither team scored in the second half or either of the two 10-minutes overtimes, Jolliffe, Will Gauthier, Ian Duvall, Matt Fleis, Austin Fellows and Mosqueda each converted penalty kicks. Mike Farese made two saves in the shootout — following up six in regulation — to give the Comets the victory.

Fellows led the Comets defense that had to withstand Hart's kick-and-run offense that frequently tried to outkick the defense and run to the ball.

The Comets will face the winner of today's contest between Grand Rapids Covenant Christian and Hartford.

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