Chiefs edge Trojans for soccer title

KEOKUK ? With the Southeast Conference title on the line Monday, the Fairfield-Keokuk soccer rivalry was given another kick.

The Trojans and host Chiefs battled to a 0-0 tie in regulation, but Keokuk scored the winning goal in overtime for a 1-0 victory and season sweep of Fairfield.

With the win, the Chiefs are owners of the Southeast Conference title. Fairfield was SEC champs last season after beating Keokuk twice.

With the defending champions being the only thing standing between the Chiefs and an outright title, another hard fought game was expected. Neither team disappointed.

?It was a very tough game and both teams left it all on the field,? said Fairfield coach Felisto Guezimane.

In the first half, Keokuk kept Fairfield on the defensive, but the Trojans turned it around in the second period and overtime. The opportunities were there, according to Guezimane, but Fairfield failed to finish plays up top.

?A very tough loss after controlling the game for the most part,? said Guezimane. ?Mason [Carnahan], Makena [Dettmann], Nathan [Barker} and Arwin [Shrestha] played very well in the back, especially from the start of the second half. Aidan Bachar also had some very good saves in the goal.?

The Trojans (9-5) finally return home Thursday for a matchup against Fort Madison.