OSHKOSH – Isaak Rucinski practiced his penalty kicks ahead of Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian’s game against Algoma. He had yet to take one all season.
But his time came in the 65th minute when Algoma was called for a handball inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick for Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian.
It was Rucinski’s time to shine as the game was tied at zero.
“I was a little nervous,” Rucinski said.
The feeling after the ball hit the back of the net?
“It was really relieving,” Rucinski said. “I mean, 0-0 after 60 minutes, I thought we were going to be a little more ahead by then. But that pen really relieved us, and we had more energy after that goal, too.”
Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian beat Algoma 2-0 at Oshkosh North in a Division 4, Regional championship game. It’s the second straight year that the Knights advanced to sectionals.
The Knights came out aggressive to start the game as the Wolves sat back defensively with the approach of attacking on counter attacks. In the first 10 minutes, Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian had two shots and a corner kick and set the tone.
Then, Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian’s leading goal scorer Kaleb Richardson left the game with an injury in the 10th minute and didn’t return until the 37th.
“We have a few bench players that helped us fill the gap to keep the same quality of the game without notice,” Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian head coach Abrahan Gutierrez said.
The first half was physical, and the halftime whistle couldn’t have come at a better time for the Knights. Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian had 10 fouls in the first half, and Rucinski and Jackson Buttke were each booked with a yellow card in the 39th minute.
“We didn’t know they were going to be that physical, and then there were a few yellow cards, we got a little mad there,” Rucinski said. “I think we used our speed a little bit more and our passing to get around those tall guys, the big guys, which worked out eventually.”
Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian didn’t allow a shot in the first half as the defense came in and stopped Algoma’s attacking play before it could turn into a goal-scoring opportunity.
When the second half started, Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian came out with a heightened intensity on breaking the draw. It had five shots in the first nine minutes, and its best chance was a shot that went just wide of the goal.
“Coach just said, ‘There’s nothing bad with how we’re playing. They’re playing a little defensive, that’s understandable. We’re playing good, just keep going at it; the goals will come,’” Rucinski said. “That gave us motivation. We had a little break and a little more energy, so shots came and then they fell.”
Rucinski’s goal came in the 65th minute, and the Knights kept their foot on the gas. Buttke scored in the 70th minute off a corner kick to give Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian a 2-0 lead.
“It was a relief,” Gutierrez said. “Your opponent (Algoma) hasn’t attacked you for 70 minutes. They have to move the pieces, and they have to give space in the back (on defense).”
Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian, the No. 2 seed, moved on in sectionals, where it will play No. 3 seed Xavier. It will be the second matchup of the season between Xavier and Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian with Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian winning the first one 3-0.
The game will be played on Thursday, Oct. 30, with the time and place still to be determined.
“It’s going to be an even match,” Gutierrez said. “Xavier will attack us, so we’ll have a chance to have some gaps.”
Contact or send game stats/info to Ben Schultz at BSchultz@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @benschultz52.
