MOLINE — Princeton coach Jason Bird called it a great high school soccer game. He was glad to be on the winning side of things.
After 100 minutes of soccer, Bird's Princeton Tigers outlasted the DePue Little Giants 4-3 in double overtime of Wednesday's semifinals of the Rock Island Alleman Regional. Jacob Estrada scored the game-winning goal with just under five minutes remaining in the second overtime.
"It was a great game for soccer fans. It was a fun game to be part of. I know I wouldn't want to be on the other side of it, but it was great high school soccer game," Bird said.
The Bureau County rivals played to a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation. Senior captain Raider Keenan scored for the Tigers five minutes into the first overtime on an assist from junior Nate Duffy, but DuPue's Carlos Acosta evened the score with just 20 seconds left.
After a five-minute stalemate in the second overtime, the Tigers broke through off a free kick by Tyson Lorenzen. Garrett Duffin directed the ball to Estrada with a header, and Estrada who in turn, headed the ball into the net.
"It's something you dream about happening," Estrada said. "Tyson always has a good solid free kick. He just had a nice ball right to the six, and Garrett Duffin gave me a nice flick and was just at the right place at the right time."