Tate Riley had called for a substitute at the next stoppage in play.
That stoppage came after the Jefferson City senior scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal as the Jays defeated the Waynesville Tigers 3-2 on Tuesday afternoon at the 179 Soccer Park.
"The fact he was able to find that strike when he was tired was impressive," Jefferson City coach Scott Blake said. "That was a college strike, it was a thump.
"That was his best strike of the year. It was a big goal for him."
Riley lined a shot from more than 30 yards out with 18:16 remaining in the contest. That capped a 15-minute span in which the teams combined to score all five goals.
"It was great coaching," Blake said with tongue planted firmly in his cheek. "Obviously not."
The teams combined for 10 shots, five on goal, in the scoreless first half.
"We were a little too frantic early," Blake said. "It was our last home game, Waynesville didn't make it easy for us with their style of play."
The Tigers kept a solid four on defense, while sending their other six players up the field at times in the attack.
At halftime, the Jays moved some things around, especially in the midfield.
"It was a midfield game and whoever got the best of the play in the midfield was going to win the game," Blake said. "I felt good about our midfield group, we were organized, but we were struggling to get the right ball to the right place in the first half."
Jefferson City wanted to get the ball out wide and deeper in the Waynesville defensive end in the second half.
"We needed to get to the end line," Blake said. "That created some opportunities for us, but it also created some opportunities for them. As you're going forward to find goals, you have to stay solid in the back and we didn't do that at times."
Dee White got the Jays on the board with 33:24 left in the second half off an assist by Owen Ramelb. That lead lasted all of 15 seconds as Averial Williams of the Tigers took the ball strong to the net to score after the ensuing restart.
Waynesville then took a 2-1 lead at the 28:21 mark on a goal by Tyrell Phinn.
Jefferson City tied it six minutes later when Lennox Quainoo scored on a liner that went off the hands of the Waynesville keeper.
Riley then tallied the game-winner four minutes later.
Jefferson City finished with a 20-12 edge in total shots, including a 10-5 advantage in those on goal.
Blake said it was just like a playoff game.
"You don't get any style points, you just want to win and advance," he said. "We scored one more than them and that's what matters."
Waynesville (8-12) will wrap up the regular season Thursday at home against Capital City.
Jefferson City is off until Saturday when it opens Class 3 District 4 play at home against Washington. Jefferson City is the No. 3 seed, Washington the No. 6 seed.
"They will be tough to play against," Blake said. "We're going to have to be tough in the back and be creative in trying to find ways to score."
The game is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start.