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Green Hope 2 @ Fuquay Varina 0
The Falcons traveled down HWY 55 to take on a very young Fuquay
Varina team. Fuquay’s varsity is poised to be a power in the
Tri-7 in the years to come. The school starts 3 Freshman and 5 Sophomores.
All the young Bengal’s are very talented.
Green Hope started the game with a quick chance to score as freshman
forward Martin Murphy beat the Bengal’s defense to have an
open chance at goal. Unfortunately, the finish was not up to Martin’s
usual high standard and the keeper saved his shot. The Falcons continued
to put on the pressure but were not able to score. Numerous players
including Evan Paussa, Nick Roos, Taylor Estrada, John Hindman and
Nate Dixon, had solid chances to score but their efforts were either
thwarted by the strong play of the FV keeper or the attempt was
off target.
Green Hope dominated on the stat sheet with over 20 shots on goal
compared to Fuquay Varina’s 5. However, Fuquay had very good
opportunities that were brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Eric Santilli.
Eric, making his second start of the season while senior Jonathan
Schwartz was out observing a religious holiday, made two super saves
on corners and one thrilling save on a ball served over his head
going toward the back post that he was able to parry away.
Green Hope was not as sharp in the midfield and forward third of
the field on this night as they were not able to make connecting
passes without turning the ball over. In addition, the team as a
whole was dribbling entirely too much. The team was encouraged to
keep possession and play the easy open teammate whenever possible.
After regulation, the score was knotted at 0-0. HS rules dictate
two 10-minute overtime halves in conference play to be played in
their entirety. Green Hope was able to score when Taylor Estrada
broke through the defense and put a strong shot on frame. Again,
Fuquay’s keeper was up to the task, but his rebound found the
foot of Nick Roos who buried it in the back of the net. Nick’s
hustle to follow shots has earned him goals in the last two games.
Evan Paussa, the team’s leading scorer, ended his three game
scoring drought and put the game away with a strike from 16 yards
from goal that found the back of the net.
The Falcons did not play their best, but were still able to hold
onto the shutout and create numerous chances to score. The positive
the Falcons can take from the past two games is the team is growing
increasingly confident in their new system and flourishing in it.
The team is creating an unreal number of scoring opportunities and
shutting out opponents. When the scoring opportunities begin to
be capitalized on, Green Hope could be unstoppable!
The Falcons are now 10-4-2 and 5-3 in the conference. The team
faces a tough challenge next week as they face Cary at home on Monday
and Apex on Wednesday, at Apex.
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