IMS hosted Williamsburg last night in a game that came down to the final seconds.

IMS opened play with the wind at their backs which helped their midfielders take control and create several good chances, but the Williamsburg defense turned them away.Williamsburg’s strategy of sending long balls to their speedy forwards nearly paid off but the back line anchored by Justin Boller and Cody Miller proved up to the task while goalie Joel Shetler came up with three big saves.

At the end of the half, Shetler came out strong and was run into by a Williamsburg player. Shetler limped off the field as Reggie Hostetler stepped in to fill the goal.

Head coach Marcus Miller talked after the game about the physical play.

“Williamsburg has always been a tough challenge for us because they play physical, and we tend to not be the most physical of teams, I think we can be, but it tends to bother our style of play, it’s always been a good matchup for us, it has never been easy,” Miller said. “They’re a nice team.”

As the second half opened the wind picked up and with the wind at Williamsburg’s back, and the Raiders proved they could be dangerous. Five minutes into the half, Williamsburg sent a long ball forward and with speed, outran the defenders to the ball and sent it by the goalie to tie the game.

Near the midway point of the half IMS earned a direct kick about 20 yards from the goal. Dillon Bender pounded a shot which deflected off the Williamsburg wall. The ball bounced to Peyton Thompson who put the ball into the net.

Williamsburg responded minutes later, replicating their first goal of the day, as a long ball was chased down by the quick forward who knocked the ball into the goal to equalize the score at 2-2.

As time ticked down, Justin Boller went forward to add to the offensive pressure. Schrock sent a cross into the box where Thompson put a strong shot on goal. The ball took several deflections as Williamsburg defenders tried to clear the ball while IMS tried to knock it into the goal. With forty seconds showing on the clock Enrique Sanchez was able to fire a strong shot sending it by the goalie for the 3-2 lead, and the win

Sanchez talked after the game about how his team needs to think in these tough games.

“We have to be tough, mentally, physically and everything,” Sanchez said. “We have to keep our composure up, we have to pass the ball no matter what, we can’t be dribbling and scramble and everything, and it was just a great win tonight.”

IMS moves to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference. IMS returns to action Tuesday, hosting Danville.