By Chuck Reherman
Sports Editor
With 14 minutes remaining in the match, Yukon’s season virtually came to an end.
Thanks to Putnam City West.
The Patriots scored the go-ahead goal 65:39 into the match and handed the Millers a 2-1 District 6A-1 loss at Miller Stadium.
The loss dropped the Millers to 1-4 in district play, sixth overall and a 6-6 overrall record. The Millers are one game behind West at 2-3 and two games behind US Grant at 2-2 for that final playoff spot.
Yukon plays Grant Tuesday night and Grant and West meet in the district finale on Friday.
“I think we are done for the playoffs,” Miller head coach Neil Hilton said. “We would have to have the head to head to have a shot. We would need some unexpected results to go our way to give us a chance.
“We didn’t score enough in the first half, although we had our chances,” he said. “We knew it was going to be our backs against the wall with the wind and we couldn’t keep them out. We didn’t take our chances in the first half. We had enough.
“We didn’t play well enough in the second half. It is always a good game with C West. With this wind, you have to take advantage of it and score with the wind. We didn’t and it just broke us.”
The Millers did have what appeared to be a second goal late in the first half, but it was ruled a no goal. The ball hit the crossbar, went straight down and appeared to have broken the plane of the goal line. But, the officials ruled that it did not break the plane.
The Millers did take the initial lead on a free kick from Brandon Noreen. Noreen had been fouled at the 30-yard line. He sent a high shot toward the net that dipped down and went under the crossbar for the goal.
Yukon’s defense turned away West on three occasions in the first half, as Kaden Best made a diving save to stop one of the shots.
West tied the match at the 52:51 mark with a goal and 13 minutes later scored the go-ahead goal.
