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Green Hope 2 vs. Apex 2 (OT)
The Falcons hosted their cross-town rival Apex on Monday night
for a Tri-8 showdown. Apex came into the game riding a 31-game unbeaten
streak, ranked #1 in the State and as always, they were looking
to knock off the Falcons.
The first half started with Apex dominating play as the Falcons
retreated in a defensive shell leaving the two GH forwards isolated
up top against four Apex defenders. Against the run of play, John
Hindman, one of the GH forwards, received the ball down the left
side and out-sprinted his opponent toward goal. He hit a sick-nasty
shot to the near post that completely fooled the Apex keeper to
give the Falcons the 1-0 advantage.
At half time, the Falcons realized how their shape had betrayed
them and figured out a way to restructure the team so the midfield
was not defending back with the defenders. In addition, GH recognized
that Apex is a great competitor with winning spirit that would not
be pleased losing 1-0 at the half.
The Falcons seemed to respond. As the the second half began, the
team kept the ball in Apex's half much more and were able to generate
numerous chances. Several times the Falcon's had chances to score,
but could not convert. The play see-sawed back and forth. Soon Apex
attacked, they split the GH central backs for a breakaway and the
Apex player beat keeper, Alex Long to tie it at 1-1. Regulation
expired with the score 1-1.
Overtime consists of 2 -10 minute overtime periods played in their
entirety. Midway through the first stanza, Apex was able to win
2 consecutive corners and the second one played in escaped the outstretched
hands of Long and found one of Apex's tallest players for the easy
header into the goal. Apex lead 2-1. In the second half of overtime
the Falcons pressed to equalize. They added one more attacker to
the mix and immediately earned a free kick 30 yards from goal. Martin
Murphy lined it up and struck a wonderfully bending ball around
the wall into the upper left hand corner of the net for the equalizer.
Time expired 60 seconds later as the teams tied 2-2 in OT.
This was a classic Green Hope versus Apex game: hard fought, clean,
respectful, challenging, tiring, quality play and passionate. The
teams face off again October 11th at Apex. The Falcons have proven
to themselves and to their fans the high level of soccer they can
play and it is their challenge to maintain the same level of play
through the rest of the season.
The first test is Wednesday night as GH travels to cross-town rival
Cary for another conference battle. Green Hope has not beaten Cary
in 2 years and the Falcons feel they are due. Let's see as Green
Hope tries to improve their 1-1-1 conference record.
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