Aiden Jordan figured out just what he needed to do in order to find the back of the net on Monday night at the Mustang Soccer Complex.
The junior midfielder had plenty of opportunities leading into the final minutes of Mustang’s first-round playoff matchup against Putnam City Original, he just couldn’t quite find his target.
“I knew I had to correct that,” he said.
A sense of frustration lifted as Jordan smashed a shot past PCO goalkeeper Carlos Yanez with 8:27 remaining, breaking a scoreless tie with the team’s 14th shot on goal.
“All of our legs were heavy, so it just came down to who wanted it more,” Jordan said. “I knew that I missed a couple of chances like that where I cut and missed wide a little…
“But I think we had more energy at the end, and we really put the pressure on them. That gave us the energy to go score that winner.”
Senior forward Dillon Clymer assisted on the goal, offering a nice pass to Jordan for the finish.
Aiden Hale (So.) makes a play from the ground during Mustang’s 1-0 playoff win over Putnam City Original on Monday, April 29, 2024 at the Mustang Soccer Complex. Hale and the Broncos take on Bedlam rival Yukon on Thursday in the second round. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
The Broncos had numerous opportunities throughout the game, finishing with 17 shots on goal to PCO’s six. Jordan said the team felt “frustrated” until their late score.
“We felt like we had the better team and knew we could score goals,” he said. “But it just wasn’t happening. Sometimes that gets in our heads, and we just have to calm down and relax.”
Mustang nearly scored three more times after breaking the tie.
Yanez made two spectacular saves, blocking a shot with his fingertips to force it off the post before a kick save that prevented another goal with just over two minutes remaining.
He also saved a penalty kick by Aiden Hale (So.) after Hale was fouled in the box.
“I think the goal took the pressure off us and put it more on them to do something,” Jordan said of Mustang’s late surge. “We did a good job of keeping them on their half where they couldn’t really do anything. That turned into more chances.
Jake Rother (Sr.) looks to make a play during Mustang’s 1-0 playoff win over Putnam City Original on Monday, April 29, 2024 at the Mustang Soccer Complex. Rother and the Broncos advanced to the second round where they will take on Bedlam rival Yukon. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
“We could have won 4-0 if we would just finish.”
Junior goalkeeper Nolan Beller held down the fort on the defensive end, especially in the first half. He saved six shots, including a rocket late in the first half that snuck past three players shading his view.
With the win, the Broncos advance to the second round of the 6A Playoffs where they will meet Bedlam rival Yukon for the second time this year. Mustang won the first matchup in a shootout.
“The biggest takeaway for the rest of the playoffs is finish chances and put teams away,” Jordan said. “Not finishing builds up that frustration and makes the game more chaotic. If we score first, it calms us down so we can keep a level head and play more in the flow.”
The Broncos and Millers are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Mustang Soccer Complex.
Mustang goalkeeper Nolan Beller (Jr.) looks to roll a pass to a teammate during the team’s 1-0 playoff win over Putnam City Original on Monday, April 29, 2024 at the Mustang Soccer Complex. (Photo by Trey Hunter)
