The Yellowjackets’ soccer season came to a dramatic end with a 5-4 penalty kick loss to the Nevada Community Braves in bi-district playoff competition Friday.

The game, which was played in Kaufman, had everything one could ask for in playoff soccer.

Mineola’s counterattacking offense faced the speedy wingers of Nevada Community, and the match provided excellent defending by both sides.

Mineola goalkeeper Spencer Rhodes played his best game of the season, making tough saves throughout the combined 100 minutes of regular and extra time.

The action was non-stop from the opening whistle. Community mustered the initial opportunity in the first minute of play, while Mineola forward Alex Rojas was denied in the fifth minute.

The Yellowjackets defense did a nice job rallying to defend a Community free kick from a scoring position in the tenth minute. Immediately thereafter, Rojas played a ball over the top of his head, pivoted and broke free down the left side earning a deep throw-in.

Community streaked down their left side on the next attack and put the ball into the side netting. After an initial wave of offensive action, the Yellowjackets began to breakdown in midfield. Community nicked the ball off Mineola’s feet regularly in the first half. A moment’s hesitation in clearing the defensive zone or passing the ball in the midfield put Mineola in extremis.

At the high point of Community’s offensive frenzy, they found the back of the net and went up 1-0.

The Yellowjackets strengthened their resolve and produced several attacks. In the 26th minute, nice work in front of goal failed to produce a scoring result. A minute later Gustavo Sanchez started a rush by pushing forward from the midfield.

Rogelio Delapaz’s energetic efforts late in the half stoked the Yellowjackets. In the 37th minute, Alex Rojas struck a sizzling shot into the left corner of the net to even the score.

Mineola pressed hard in the closing moments of the half. Nathan Rojas made his presence felt in the midfield while Omar Galaz found Alex Rojas with a beautiful leading pass with 40 seconds to play. Rojas mustered a shot from between two defenders, but could not get his full energy into the effort. The score remained 1-1 at the half.

Nevada Community came out steaming in the second half. Only desperate defending by the Yellowjackets kept them in the game.

Community manufactured multiple scoring opportunities through the 60th minute. In the 54th minute they produced a rocket shot that clanged off the crossbar.

The best Mineola chance came in the 58th minute when Rojas found himself on a counter ahead of the defense. He put an excellent shot on goal, which was deflected just wide by the Community goalkeeper. Great shot; great save.

Mineola goalkeeper Rhodes came out of his box in the 61st minute to deny a Community breakaway. As he went for the ball, he took out the attacking Brave and was whistled for a penalty. Rhodes made a rousing save on the penalty kick, going low and to his right. A follow-up save on the rebound was just as spectacular and preserved the tie.

The pressure mounted. Mineola was forced to defend four consecutive corner kicks, each with a quality cross, as Community sensed its second goal.

The Yellowjackets defense held. Rhodes stopped another shot on goal in the 66th minute. Moving to his left across goal, he reversed his momentum and just managed to tip the ball wide. It was his best save of the night.

Mineola turned up the tempo in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Alex Rojas found Delapaz, but the shot went over the bar. In the last minute of play Rojas put a cross on the foot of Galaz, but the attempt went wide.

Two 10-minute periods of extra time followed. Each team wanted to win this on the pitch. In the 85th minute, Rojas took a nice leading pass, worked his way free and struck a beautiful shot on goal

The Community goalkeeper deflected the shot just enough. Mineola’s best chance passed.

Rhodes had to make the last save of open play with 20 seconds remaining in the second extra time. The drama would continue to penalty kicks.

With the penalty kicks tied 3-3, Rhodes made back-to-back saves. The first was high and to the right; the second low toward the right corner. Consecutive penalty kick saves happen once in a lifetime. Perhaps it was Mineola’s night.

The sudden death penalty kicks went Community’s way. Mineola’s attempt went high. Community then pushed the next kick into the netting. The final: 5-4 Nevada Community.

Rhodes collapsed in fatigue and frustration in the goal. The team looked gutted as they watched the celebration across the way. They picked themselves up. It was a great year of incredible soccer.