Simply because it was Batesville and Oldenburg squaring off in the second round of the IHSAA soccer sectional made the contest interesting.

But no one could predict the outcome would be as thrilling as it turned out.

The two evenly matched squads battled to a 1-1 tied through 80 minutes of regulation. Two additional seven minute overtime periods were played and again they were tied ... this time at 2-2.

That left the shootout phase of the tie breaker remaining to settle the score.

Both teams were physically worn down from the physical play and less than ideal playing conditions.

Still, it came down to a series of five penalty kicks by each team.

The Bulldogs elected to change goalies and put senior Zach Meyer in the challenging position, while the Twisters went with their stalwart Matt Glassburn.

Meyer stopped shots by Derek Getz and Alex Kirschner. David Mullen was also unsuccessful, which allowed the Bulldogs to take a 3-1 lead. Wes Cook was the only Twister to convert.

“It was like Zach (Meyer) knew where we were shooting the first two,” OA coach Ken Getz commented. “If you would of watched the kick and the reacted you wouldn't have a chance of getting them.

“Great job on his part,” he added.

Prior to the shootout, the competition was at a high level between the two local rivals.

Cook put the Twisters on the scoreboard first with a goal on a quick touch by Kirk Siegel at the 10:33 mark.

The Bulldogs tied the game in the second half at 26:13 on a goal by Pat Yeager.

The two teams traded possessions the rest of the way, but neither could find the back of the net.

After a scoreless first overtime period, the Twisters fell behind after the Bulldogs scored on a penalty kick. Getz returned the favor with just over 2:30 remaining to knot the score at 2-2.