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Green Hope 1 @ Athens Drive 1
Green Hope traveled to Athens Drive for the final game of the regular
season. This is the 20th game of the season for the Falcons and
their record coming into the game is 11-6-2. They are in 4th spot
in the Tri-7 and can only qualify for the State Play-offs by winning
one of the 4 wildcard spots. The wildcards are determined by the winning
percentage for the overall season. Green Hope owned their own destiny,
if they win, they are in the play-offs, if they lose, they need
to rely on other teams to lose and hope for some help.
The game started and for the first 5 minutes, Athens controlled
the ball in Green Hope's half. Then, on a quick counter attack,
Evan Paussa beat his defender and served an early ball to Nick Roos,
all alone at the top of the box. Nick could not convert the golden
opportunity, but the chance changed the momentum of the game in
Green Hope's favor. Paussa was able to get down the right side at
will and had several great chances. Nate Dixon hit a dipping shot
from just outside the 18 that hit the cross bar and John Hindman
had several shots as well. Finally, Patrick Danford fed a ball between
the Athens right back and their center back to a streaking Hindman.
John's first touch was precise toward goal. He took a hard shot
that was saved by the keeper, but John FOLLOWED his shot and headed
it in the goal for a 1-0 lead.
The Falcons were playing fantastic in the first half, creating
13 shots to Athens Drive's 2. However, the inability to find the
net was looming over them again. The half ended with the score 1-0,
Green Hope up.
Athens Dr. celebrated their senior night at half time and the Falcons
covered some tactical points and tried to stay warm. In the second
half, Athens sent another player forward and were able to create
some more attack. The Falcons started to hold the ball too long
and went away from the successful tactic they enjoyed in the first
half of passing and moving. With the excessive dribbling, Athens
was able to steal the ball a few times and create some offense.
Athens won a throw-in on the right side of the field. Green Hope
was confident about defending the long throw-ins Athens possesses as
the Falcons worked on defending the long throw the night before
in training. Unfortunately, the throw got all the way into the 6-yard
box without any Falcon able to win the header and the ball skimmed
off an Athens player, bounced 3 yards from goal and trickled in.
The goal was deflating to the Falcons as they prepared for this
specific play the night before, but on this occasion could not execute
with the intensity necessary to keep the ball out of the net.
Fortunately, the play of the midfield and defenders kept the ball
in Athens's half for much of the second half. Regulation ended at
1-1 and we went to familiar territory: overtime. During overtime,
Green Hope had a one-on-one chance at goal with Evan Paussa threatening
to put the Falcons up 2-1. Evan made a fine shot, but the Athens
keeper made the save of the night. Neither team could score in the
extra 20 minutes and the game ended 1-1. Green Hope out-shot Athens
18 to 5 on the evening.
The Falcons ended their season at 11-6-3 and 6-5-1 in conference
play. The record should get them into the play-offs, but we will
have to wait for other teams throughout the Eastern half of the
state to finish their season before we know for certain.
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