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Green Hope 1 vs. Apex 2
The Apex Cougars with a 10-0 record and ranked #1 in the State,
visited Green Hope Monday for the first leg of the local derby.
Green Hope, coming off an embarrassing loss to Cary 0-5, was looking
to rebound against Apex.
The game started off fairly even between both teams. Apex got a
good chance to score, but Jonathan Schwartz made a dominating save
coming off his line. Green Hope played a little jumpy and turned
the ball over too often and "dove in" too many times defensively
allowing the Cougars to easily move past the midfield. Fortunately,
the defense of GH and goalkeeping held up sternly.
Closing in on the half-time, Green Hope, for the second straight
game gave up a soft first goal. Apex played the ball deep and a
Falcon player had it played perfectly. He tried to head it back
to Schwartz, unfortunately, the header was a little too short and
the Apex player played it toward the goal. Both Schwartz and the
GH defense raced to stop it from crossing the line, but the ball
just beat their best efforts.
Green Hope went to half-time down 0-1. The main emphasis of the
half-time time discussion was to match Apex's tenacity, play a little
more under control (possessing the ball) and stop diving in to tackles
in the midfield. Defensive restarts were reiterated as the most
threatening part of the game and the team should be prepared. Offensive
restarts were emphasized as golden opportunities to score and needed
more effort.
Green Hope responded with fervor! The intensity raised, the passing
increased in precision and crispness and the Falcons were able to
capitalize on a super pass from Eric Desloge to John Hindman, who
then found Evan Paussa streaking to goal. Evan powerfully buried
a low shot past the Apex keeper to tie the score 1-1.
As the second half ticked on, Green Hope continued to pressure
Apex. The Apex keeper made some fine saves on several shots on goal.
Green Hope was aided by some great free kicks by Eric Butterly,
but no Falcon took it upon himself to put the ball in the back of
the net. Green Hope hit the cross-bar once and several balls trickled
in front of the goal.
However, Green Hope made an ill-advised challenge from behind in
the midfield providing Apex a free kick in GH's defensive third.
Green Hope's achilles heel showed its ugly head again as the Falcons
did not set up quickly enough. Apex played a quick ball to the left
of the wall and the Apex forward hit a nicely placed ball into the
right corner of the net. Apex 2-1.
The final 14 minutes were a fury as the Falcons pressed for the
equalizer. Many attempts were squandered. Apex earned a final penalty
kick, but the Cougar hit the post and missed. Time expired on a
thrilling game. Apex 2-1.
Green Hope tries to rebound from back-to-back losses to Tri-7 conference
foes, playing Wednesday at Lee County. Green Hope's record falls
to 6-3-2 and 2-2 in the Tri-7 conference. The next conference games
are critical to Green Hope's quest to reach the State Play-offs
again as only THREE (3) Tri-7 conference teams earn a State Play-off
birth.
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