Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – McKinleyville goalie Ethan Shelly denied Eureka’s Micah Duncan with a big save to keep his team in the game on Wednesday.

By Ray Hamill — There was a moment in Wednesday’s pivotal H-DNL boys soccer game at McKinleyville where it appeared to be getting away from the home team.

Head coach Ryne Deppe could see his players beginning to hang their heads and start to lose belief in themselves.

Not only were they facing a second loss to Eureka in three league games, which would have essentially ended their league challenge, but they were staring down a 3-1 deficit and a Loggers team that was riding a lot of momentum after scoring three straight goals.

Late in the game, however, the Panthers rediscovered their mojo and self-belief, netting three unanswered goals to pull out a thrilling 4-3 win.

Kristian Gajic was sensational in the win, scoring three of his team’s goals and, in his coach’s words, carrying the team on his back.

He wasn’t the only hero, however, with goalie Ethan Shelly making a spectacular second-half save to keep his team in the game.

Shelly got some help from the crossbar off a wonderfully struck Kai Gallegos free kick from well outside the penalty area, but then made a superb save off a follow-up Micah Duncan shot that was was heading toward the back of the net.

With the win, the Panthers improved to 1-1-1 in league play, while Eureka is now 2-2.

For more on Wednesday’s thrilling showdown, see Gajic leads McKinleyville boys to thrilling win …