May 8 was a big night for Landrum’s Jon Perry.
Perry and the Cardinal soccer team defeated Brashier Middle College 3-1 on Tuesday night to advance to the second round of the 1A state playoffs.
Perry got the offensive night started for the Cardinals with a goal in the first half. The senior put his head on a corner kick by Mick Prather in the 22nd minute.
The rest of the first half looked much like an early season matchup between the two teams that ended on sudden death penalty kicks in the third overtime. The ending from that earlier match was not destined to repeat.
After a 30-minute lightning delay, the Cardinals came out in the second half and handled business. Perry found Sam Parsons in front of the net to put the Cardinals up 2-1.
It was a big night for Perry in what could be the last game on his home field. The Presbyterian College commit had 10 shots on goal, one goal and an assist.
“He just stepped it up,” head coach Josh Fowler said. “He’s a threat to score at all times.”
The final Cardinal goal came from another senior with 2:04 left to play. Jose Ibarra picked up the ball and shot it past the goal deep inside the goalie box. It was Ibarra’s first goal of the season and something he desperately wanted, Fowler said.
“It felt really good (to score the goal in my last home game),” Ibarra said. “I did my best.”
The Cardinals’ attention now shifts to a major test. Landrum will play at St. Joseph’s on Thursday night at 7 p.m. The Knights are the No. 1 team in the state and won Landrum’s region this season.
“It’s a challenge,” Fowler said. “It will be an opportunity to show what we can do. We’re looking forward to it.”