Green Hope hosted New Hanover from Wilmington in the first round of the State Playoffs Tuesday night. Due to the poor weather last week and the canceled Panther Creek match, the senior night was moved to this game. Our two seniors, Kyle Bandy and Ryan McDonnell, were honored at halftime. Thanks Kyle and Ryan for your effort and dedication.

The Falcons seemed a little tight as the match started, which was understandable because they lost last year in a similar game in a first round upset to Wake Forest-Rolesville. It seemed as though that loss weighed upon the team and made the players anxious and cautious during this game.

The game started with New Hanover in a very defensive shape, 4-5-1 and the Falcons patiently played the ball around the back trying to draw NH out. It worked as Ryan Steele moved up the right side of the field and served a cross to the back post where Ryan McDonnell headed it toward goal. The keeper made a fine reaction save but could not hold the ball. Ryan followed up and made it 1-0 inside of 6 minutes.

The rest of the first half was nondescript as NH tried to play long balls into their striker and the GH defense either gobbled them up or Alex Long (GK) easily picked up the stray ones that went too deep. Green Hope had a lot of possession, but not too many scoring chances or shots. Their best chances were waved offside.

In the second half, the game was very even. It was another game of spurts. Halfway in, Martin Murphy won a header in the midfield that fell to Chad Drimmer. Chad popped it over the central defense and Magnus Sorensen buried the volley in the upper left of the goal for the 2-0 lead.

NH, desperate to tie the game, sent more players forward and created some dangerous situations. They had a great 1-2 in the left side of the box, but Alex Long was quick off his line to make the save. NH also won a lot of corners near the end. They have several players over 6' 3" that made it scary in the box, but again the GH defense held and Long used his big body to thwart any danger.

New Hanover was especially strong down the left and one of their players won the ball about 20 yards from GH's goal. He hit a wicked shot that seemed to be going to his right, but swerved to the left and found the back of the net to make the score 2-1.

Green Hope has been training for 1 goal leads and 1 goal deficits for the playoffs. The team bunkered in to preserve the 1 goal lead and the whistle blew as the Falcons ran the clock out deep in the corner. Green Hope advances to the second round!

Hopefully, getting the first win will loosen the team up for an explosive second round against the winner of Terry Sanford and Northern Durham. The game will most likely be Saturday night, November 3rd.