Warren Central senior goalkeeper Kemal Esmic (left) corrals the ball Monday as Hopkinsville senior Morgan Demps attempts to score in the second half of Monday’s KHSAA Boys’ Soccer Semi-State 2 match at Stadium of Champions in Hopkinsville. Esmic, who had 11 saves in the game, stopped three Tiger penalty attempts during a PK shootout, helping the Dragons win the shootout 2-0 and the match 3-2.

HOPKINSVILLE – As the Warren Central boys’ soccer team prepared for overtime against Hopkinsville in Monday’s Semi-State 2 game at the Stadium of Champions, Dragons coach AJ Ray told his team they were going to win.

Ray’s confidence stemmed from the performance of his senior goalkeeper Kemal Esmic up to that point.

“He picked the best time to play his best game,” Ray told his players before the overtime began.

The night only got better for Esmic when the game went to penalty kicks, as he saved three shots to help Warren Central advance. The Dragons won 3-2 by virtue of a 2-0 win in the shootout, putting Warren Central in Saturday’s quarterfinals in Lexington.

Ray was emotional when talking about Esmic following the win, expressing disappointment that his keeper lost a postseason award to McCracken County’s Trevor Massa.

“I think it is a damn shame that he is not keeper of the year,” Ray said. “I know that is the best keeper in the state right there. It’s the second shootout where he just blocks everything. It’s huge, huge for the whole team.”

Esmic’s stellar effort in the shootout capped an emotional night for Warren Central (22-1), which was able to bounce back from a shaky first half.

The Dragons scored seven minutes in on a goal by Fahrudin Alic, but Hopkinsville (19-5-1) answered against the top defensive team in the state.

Jose Favela’s header tied the score in the 25th minute and a penalty in the box set up Ethan Noel’s penalty kick in the 35th minute.

Hopkinsville had 17 shots in the first half, nine on goal, with Warren Central allowing multiple goals in a game for only the second time this season. The first-half performance prompted Ray to meet his back line at midfield at the half and talk to them for several minutes before going back to the bench to talk to the rest of his team.

“They have been the backbone for us all year, so we knew we could rely on them,” Ray said. “They had a bad first half. It was the second 40 minutes that they’ve played bad all season, but I knew it wasn’t going to happen again.”

The Dragons held the Tigers to nine shots in the second half – six on goal – with Esmic turning away all six shots. That opened the door for the game-tying goal, which came in the 65th minute.

Senid Avdic set up with a crisp pass to James Khual, whose shot appeared to be saved initially by Hopkinsville’s Xavier Bussell – but Bussell couldn’t corral the ball and it slipped through his legs for the equalizer.

“I was really nervous,” Khual said. “When I kicked it, I thought he had it. But then it went through his legs and went in. I don’t even know how it felt. I can’t describe it.”

Neither team scored again in regulation and then played to a stalemate in two five-minute overtimes to send the game to a game-deciding shootout, where Esmic was able to shine.

Warren Central hit two of three shots in the shootout, with Advic and Kiza Anzuruni scoring goals. Esmic saved the first three attempts by Hopkinsville, then watched as Tyler Aldridge’s shot went wide right in the fourth round to clinch the victory for the Dragons.

“I know my team is always going to have my back and I am going to have theirs,” Esmic said. “I just played my role, stepped up and did what I could (to win this game).”

Hopkinsville outshot Warren Central 28-18, with a 16-9 advantage in shots on goal. Esmic had 13 saves during regulation and overtime.

“We started looking not to give up a goal instead of playing our game,” Hopkinsville coach Tyler Stallons said. “Whenever we start not playing our game, the flow just changes. I still thought we played really well. The ball didn’t bounce our way in the second half and they were able to tie it up. We had chances and we just couldn’t find the net.

“We go to PKs and their keeper makes three big saves. We hadn’t missed a PK all year and he saves three. They were all hit well. He guessed right. He’s a big kid and covers a lot of ground and knocks them away.”

Warren Central now advances to face Campbell County on Saturday in Lexington. The site and time will be announced later this week. Campbell County beat Mercer County 2-0 on Monday.

“These guys saw it from the beginning of the season,” Ray said. “It was a goal (to get to Lexington). This is another step and it’s unreal.”