Clarks Summit, PA - Playing in their sixth overtime game of the season,
Brett Kikendall scored in the 105th minute to push the Highlanders past Clarks Summit University 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. Kikendall took a feed from
Connor Eby and found the back of the net over 90 minutes after he opened the scoring in the 14th minute on a free kick.
Cairn wasted no time testing Ben Campbell, Clarks Summit's keeper. The Highlanders fired three shots in the first four minutes that were all saved by Campbell. Despite these first few shots being saved, the Highlanders would dent the scoreboard first with a free kick in the 14th minute off the foot of
Brett Kikendall.
From 23 yards out, Kikendall found the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season.
After the goal, the game shifted momentarily to the Cairn defensive third. Clarks Summit turned in a four minute stretch following the goal that included a pair of corner kicks and shots.
After the Highlanders weathered the stretch, they went back in the drivers seat for the majority of the half. In goal,
Mark Heater was tested with a shots on goal in the 35th minute, but he turned them both away and the lead remained 1-0 for Cairn heading into halftime.
In the first half Cairn held a 12-6 advantage in shots, putting eight of their 12 shots on goal.
After the break the opening portion of the second-half was played through the midfield. Each team generated just one shot apiece in the opening 13 minutes of the half, until the Defenders' Wesley Pincince generated his own shot on a turn and leveled the match at 1-1 in the 59th minute.
After the equalizer both sides had opportunities to take a lead, but the Highlanders struggled to put shots on target and Clarks Summit was turned away by
Mark Heater. In the second-half there were only 10 shots total, five for each squad.
With the score still square, the match turned to overtime. For the Highlanders it was a fitting end to a season filled with contests that could not be decided in regulation. Including Saturday's match Cairn played six overtime games on the season.
The Highlanders had the better run of play in the first overtime, generating three shots.
Joey Weaver went wide with an attempt in the 96th minute before
Brendan Keller sent a shot wide left in the 98th minutes and another attempt high in the 100th minute.
Still looking for a winner, the game turned to the second and final overtime period. Cairn again controlled the period with three shots to the Defenders' one. On the third shot for the Highlanders,
Brett Kikendall connected for his second goal of the game.
Connor Eby dribbled down into the corner before finding Kikendall in the middle for the goal.
The golden goal ended the match and completed the Highlanders' season on a high note. With the overtime win the Highlanders improve to 2-3-1 in games decided after regulation.
The Highlanders outshot the Defenders 23-12 in the match and ended the season with a 7-11-1 overall record and a 3-6-0 record in the CSAC.