It was neck and neck all night between Tompkins and Northbrook.

The Falcons knew they were in for a tough match against the District 17-6A winners in the second round of the playoffs, but Tompkins was up for the challenge. The Falcons took Northbrook on to the very end, ending full time in a 1-1, but in the end Northbrook came out on top, winning a penalty shootout 7-6 over the Falcons.

“it was an unbelievable effort tonight,” said Tompkins head coach Tom Jones. “We started out with a couple guys injured and then we had some guys go down tonight as well, but everyone who went in stepped up. They fought all night, there was 100 minutes played and they were limping, they’re pushing, and they did everything they can. They should keep their heads up because they left everything on the field tonight.”

It was a hard fought game and neither team could break the deadlock in the first half. Northbrook came out wanting to possess the ball and Tompkins was happy to let them do it, with the Falcons breaking on the counter to create chances. Northbrook broke the tie just a minute into the second half. Anthony Ayala got past the Tompkins defense and slipped it into the back of the net.

Tompkins pushed for the tying goal all second half and almost had it multiple times. But even with misses they weren’t deterred and in the 74^th minute, the Falcons found the equalizer as Braden Lehner was able to head a corner into the near post corner and tie the game.

“The defense was huge for us today and really helped keep us in the game,” Jones said. “They kept everything in front of them, did everything we asked them to do and grinded it out. Everyone gave everything they had.”

The game went into extra time and both teams continuing to create chances, but neither could find the game winner, with the game ultimately went to penalties and both teams takers did well. Tompkins missed its second penalty and Northbrook missed its fourth. Both teams penalty makers made the next three, and Tompkins missed its ninth attempt before Northbrook was able to sneak its last penalty past the Tompkins keeper and into the net, as the Falcons were not able to keep the shootout going.

“We knew what they were going to try and come out and do and we wanted to counter off that and we created chances doing it,” Jones said. “We did a decent job of it, but of course could have done some things better. But in the end, both of the teams played really well and it came down to a bit of luck, it just sadly didn’t go our way.”

This was a strong senior class for the Falcons that got them back to the area round after a two year absence, but Tompkins will also bring back lots of talented underclassman and they hope to build on this strong year.

“It started all the way last year at the end of the season,” Jones said. “They all took on the responsibility and they led the way to this. They had a great season and there’s 19 of them and I can’t say enough about them. They’re an amazing group of men that is going to do some amazing things.”