Pine Creek's Flynn finally gets best of Liberty's Krumm in 2-0 victory

Wednesday night was simply about two guys trying to get the best of each other. Sure, there was some name calling, tense moments and even some pushing — both teams knew the stakes.

And with emotions at blood-boiling level, Pine Creek’s Connor Flynn finally got the best of Liberty goalie Kyle Krumm in the Eagles’ 2-0 win at District 20 Stadium.

“Emotions were extremely high. It’s a rivalry game,” Flynn said about two of the best teams in the 5A Metro league. “You know this could be the league championship, so I’m glad we got the best of them.”

Flynn admitted he was glad he finally got the best of Krumm too.

The Pine Creek senior was stumped over and over by Krumm in the first half, before he finally scored the game’s first and decisive goal early in the second half.

“It could have been 3-nil before that,” Flynn said as he laughed. “But, glad I got one to go.”

In the 41st minute, Flynn took the pass from Nick Bannister, spun around a defender and laced it past the Lancers keeper.

“I saw another player wide open, but since I was in good form in the first half I decided to rip it,” said Flynn, who had seven shots.

Krumm couldn’t believe it.

“Well, I was starting to cheat to (the left) post because I thought my defender had him on the other side,” Krumm recounted. “But then he just kicked it … and the wind pushed it even further out of my reach.”

Through 40 minutes, Krumm kept Liberty in it, turning away three potentials goals — two from Flynn.

First, in the 16th minute, Flynn speared a header off a corner kick from 5 yards out, but Krumm pushed it wide left.

Then, in the 14th minute, Flynn was wide open and ripped it from 10 yards out, but Krumm deflected it over the net.

“The goalie was just making some incredible saves,” Flynn said. “And I was a bit unlucky in the first half.”

Krumm needed some help.

“It’s tough when our offense isn’t clicking,” Krumm said, “but I can’t do anything about that.”

In the 43rd minute, the Eagles added some cushion when Nico Farley, off another Bannister pass, sent an uncontested boot into the back of the net.

“It happened so quickly,” said Krumm, who’d given up only two goals total in the three prior games.

At the game’s windy and cold conclusion, Pine Creek (7-4, 3-0) had wrapped up its fifth shutout of the season.

Liberty (6-4-1, 2-1) had fallen from first to second in 5A Metro.