Green Hope traveled to Apex for a crucial Tri-8 match. The winner of the match would most likely win the conference. Green Hope has not won the conference since 2002.

The first 10 minutes of the game was not what we expected. We felt like we were ready, focused and confident. However, we were on our heels and Apex's intensity and desire was a notch above ours. They were putting dangerous balls in the box, winning almost every header and their center midfield was having a field day. With all that being said, we hung in there, withstood the barrage and managed a couple of decent shots. As half-time approached, an Apex player took a shot from the right side of the top of the penalty box and his shot was going wide left, but somehow there was an Apex player not offside just outside the goal-line there to redirect the ball into the net. 0-1 as the half ended.

In the second half, Green Hope came out with much more pressure, but still we could not capitalize on our chances. However, to be fair, Green Hope never got a "great" chance to score, but we did get quite a few corners and kept the ball in the Apex half of the field.

Knowing Green Hope had to win the game and being down by one, we changed our system to add another forward and midfielder, leaving only three in the back (much like hockey when a team pulls the goalie to add an attacker late in a game). This gamble did not work and Apex was able to get through the sparse Green Hope defense to score 2 late goals.

It was a disappointing loss for the Falcons. The team has a great chance to finish second in the conference and secure a favorable playoff spot. The team only has 2 weeks left and 5 games of the regular season and the Apex loss will help them prepare for the real season: the State Championship play-offs.