The Peacock Tornadoes earned their first trip to the Moose Jaw High School Boys Soccer League championship game in thrilling fashion on Friday.

The fourth place Tornadoes knocked off the first place, and undefeated, Central Cyclones, 2-1 on penalty kicks, in their semifinal match-up on Friday night at the Canada Games Field.

“It feels amazing,” said Peacock captain Jordan McDovell.

Peacock was able to strike first in the game as Tata Mugisha scored in the opening half to make it 1-0.

The Cyclones applied plenty of pressure throughout the second half and Peacock’s defence held tight until late when Central’s Nick Butterfield was hauled down in the box.  Fharis Ebet converted on the penalty kick to even the score at 1-1.

Neither team was able to break through during the ten-minute overtime frame and Peacock secured the win by taking the penalty kicks, 5-4, with goalie Maguire Lyall making some big saves to help his team to the win.

“We wanted that win more than them and we fought hard for it,” said McDovell.

“We sat back a lot, but we know our strength is defence and that’s what relied on.”

The Cyclones’ normally potent offence was stifled by the Tornadoes throughout the game.  Central generated chances throughout the second half, but could only finish on the one penalty kick to leave the door open for Peacock.

“We missed our opportunities, we had a lot of chances, we played well but we didn’t play to our full ability, we can play a lot better than that,” said Central’s Obi Hehamelu.

Frustration didn’t set in for the Cyclones as they pushed for the equalizer in the second half and despite falling short in the end after getting the tying goal, Hehamelu said the team believed in themselves throughout.

“When it gets to the end of games, I just believe in my teammates and believe that we can do it, and when it was getting towards the end none of us doubted ourselves, we all knew that we could keep on going and we could win and we pushed them to the end of the game,” he said.

The Tornadoes will now face the Swift Current Colts in the high school boys soccer league final on Wednesday at the Canada Games Field at 4:30 p.m.

“I’ve got some good friends on Swift Current, so I’m excited to play them again,” said McDovell.

Central will now turn their attention to the 2A boys regionals this coming weekend in Wilcox.  The Tornadoes will be there as well with two spots in provincials on the line.

The girls soccer league final will be held on Tuesday with the Swift Current Ardens going for a ninth straight championship against the Weyburn Eagles.  They hit the field at 4 p.m. at Sunningdale Field.