ARGOS - When LaVille and Argos met during the regular season, the Dragons got the best of the Lancers 3-0 at Newton Park. The Lancers took notes following that loss and were determined to change the end result as the two soccer rivals met in the second semifinal of the IHSAA 1A Argos Sectional. Coach Kevin Christy's squad rallied for a penalty kick shootout victory, 3-2. "We knew going into this game that there was no option but to win," said senior Mikalah Kuskye. "We lost to them previously in the season (Sept. 17, 3-0) and we knew that losing again was not going to happen.  I think our positive and aggressive mindset is really what secured the victory against Argos. Our relentless effort of pushing the ball up and constant shots really put the pressure on Argos. " LaVille got on the board first when Kuskye kicked a perfect looping pass over the Argos defense to Macie Edwards.  Edwards was coming from the right inside the 18, tapped the ball past Dragon goalie Alidiah Leed, and into a wide open net for a 1-0 lead in the 2nd minute. The Dragons answered when Elaina Conklin was in the right place at the right time, taking a rebound off teammate Whitlee Singleton's shot. Initially it looked like LaVille goalie Denni Markin stopped the ball, but it trickled away and Conklin tied the score at 1-1 in the 18th minute. That score held up through halftime and the entirety of the second half, sending the match into a pair of 7-minute overtime periods. Continuing the defensive match by both teams, the first OT session went scoreless until a shot by Argos' Haley Shafer ricochet off the forearm of a Lancer defender and a handball was called. Morgyn Barcus found the upper right corner to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. "Going down by a goal in OT (especially on a PK) could be a dagger, but not for this team," Christy said of his team. "They don't have quit in them. They fight through adversity well and have matured a lot over this season." As the second 7-minute OT period started, the Lancers took advantage of the Dragons' pushed up defense, when Mackena Deason took a nice pass from Kuskye.  Deason dribbled, then positioned the ball on the left side of goal, near the left upright and a diving Leed to tie the score at 2-2 with 6:10 left in the second OT.  That 2-all score remained to force the penalty shootout phase to determine a winner. Christy's club was able to convert its first four shots, while Argos missed two to lead LaVille to the victory. "The girls had to fight hard through the entire game tonight," said Christy.  "We had quite a few chances that we just couldn't quite finish off offensively. We'll take advantage of those opportunities, if they are presented in Saturday's game.  As for defensively, the team played really well. We stayed disciplined, communicated, and played with 100% effort." When asked about her team's defense, Kuskye replied, "The defense played pretty well. When we had moments we didn't get down on ourselves and we made sure if someone went out wide we would fill the hole to help. Again the continuous effort is what kept us in the game." Kuskye, who was the second shooter in thePK series, was poised in her approach at the net and confident after several days of PK practice sessions. "We have practiced PKs everyday for the past week and we all knew our roles and what needed to be accomplished," noted Kuskye.  "Standing with the 5 out there - Kenna, Ava, Brooke, and Morgan, was nerve racking but once I stepped up to kick I picked a spot, knew where to go and was completely calm. Coach told me the role of being second was very important and I knew that I needed to do everything possible to help the team win. Which was one by one making our pks. When standing with each other waiting to kick we were so confident in each other it was motivating." Christy echoed the sentiment about the PKs in the state tournament, just didn't when they would have to use that practice. "We've worked on PK's, the shooting line-up, and goal keeper work in practice just about every day for the last couple weeks or so," explained the LaVille coach.  "We knew we would need them, we just weren't sure when. Our shooters were confident and Denni Markin, in the goal, is a strong presence." As a senior, Kuskye and her classmates want to be a team remembered for fighting until the end. "This win means everything to the seniors and it's a statement that we don't want to be a team that gives up," said the LaVille senior.  "We have struggled with some games losing focus and that's when we give up a goal but this game we knew that wasn't going to happen. We constantly reminded each other to keep our heads up and work together." When asked about their next opponent - Manchester in the 1A Sectional #36 finals - Kuskye said, "We know Manchester will be a tough team but as long as we play together and don't give up we can and will win. We beat them earlier in the season but that doesn't mean anything. Anybody can win if they show up ready to play. We need to show up to play and we are fully capable of getting a sectional title." Christy closed by saying that,  "It was a complete team effort regardless of minutes played. It takes every single player in practice all season long to get to this point. Manchester is a strong team and they are well coached. They are a tough opponent, but our girls will be ready. They embrace challenges and I believe they will embrace this challenge as well." IHSAA 1A SECTIONAL #36 At Argos (PK Shootout) LaVille 3, Argos 2 Score By Halves Argos 1 0 0 1 - 2 LaVille 1 0 0 1 - 2 Scoring Summary L - Macie Edwards (Mikalah Kuskye), 2nd minute A - Elaina Conklin, 18th A - Morgyn Macus (penalty kick), 85th L - Mackena Deason (Kuskye), 89th minute PK Shootout Goals Argos 2, LaVille 4 Shots on Goal: Argos 13, LaVille 13 Corner Kicks: Argos 2, LaVille 4 Goalie Saves: Argos (Alidiah Leed) 11, LaVille (Denni Markin) 11 Team Records: Argos 5-8-1 (final), LaVille 10-6. Next Match: Manchester v. LaVille Oct. 12, 2 p.m. at Snyder Field, Argos HS