The Gibault and Waterloo soccer teams battled it out for a Class 2A regional title in Bethalto on Saturday, with the Hawks finally emerging victorious with just more than 2:30 remaining in the second overtime, 1-0.

“It lived up to the hype with the drama and physicality featured between two good teams,” Gibault’s first-year head coach Darryn Haudrich said.

The Bulldogs fended off constant offensive pressure from the Hawks throughout the game, but a Gibault corner kick late in the second OT deflected off Waterloo defenders and went into the net. Waterloo goalkeeper Sam Ward made several strong saves all game to keep his team in it.

“Waterloo played a tough and gritty game, especially on defense; they kept us at bay for all of regulation, the first overtime and the bulk of the second overtime as well,” Haudrich said. “We persevered through the setbacks on offense and played a strong overall game.”

The Hawks (pictured with their regional plaque) advance to the Columbia Sectional, where they will face Carbondale on Tuesday. For more photos from the game, click here.

In other local soccer action, Columbia was stunned by Triad in the Mascoutah Regional final, falling in penalty kicks.

The teams went into OT tied 0-0. The Eagles end their season at 23-1-2.

Read more on regional soccer action in this week’s Republic-Times newspaper.