Varsity Soccer vs. Holy Cross School

The Hargrave Tigers (3-6-0, 2-0-0) found the offensive output they were hoping for against the Gaels of Holy Cross (1-7-1), but let in more than they had expected from a hard-working, younger opponent as the Tigers survived in overtime, 6-5.

Senior midfielder Scott Dinius lead the way for the Tigers as he tallied a total of three goals and two assists on the day, including notching the game winner in the first overtime period. Although, Holy Cross’ Michael Scott had just as an equally impressive output as he tallied four of the Gael’s five goals as he was playing at less than 100%.

Hargrave’s Edwin Choi opened the scoring for the Tigers less than three minutes into the match on a break-away finish from a through-ball in-behind the Gael’s defense set-up from Dinius and senior defender Charles Field. Six minutes later, at the 8:30 mark, Dinius tallied his first goal of the afternoon as he blistered a shot from the right of the goal mouth that started from a Austin Newman throw-in.

The Tigers felt they had the game comfortably in-hand from the beginning after securing to quick tallies on Holy Cross. Though, the Gael’s Scott would prove the Tigers wrong as the almost single handedly put away the games next three goals, and put the Tigers behind 2-3 in matter of eight minutes time. Scotts first came at the 12:10 mark after a defensive miscommunication in the Tiger’s back field where the ball was won by Gael’s forward Martin Kerekes. Kerekes then played the ball wide left to Scott who hit the first time shot over the head of Tiger goalkeeper Nathan Bloom into the far post. Seven minutes later Scott tallied his second from a Daniel Servas helper as Scott beat his defender with a quick step to his right, had the shot from just on the edge of the penalty box, and blasted the hit to the far post to beat the Tigers once again. Just over a minute later Scott would strike again after a turn-over in the back that left the Gael’s striker on a break-away to beat the Tiger’s for his third.

Following the quick run from the Gaels play began to even out once again with the Tigers pushing to find offensive chances. After a total of 17 shots to the Gael’s six in the first half, the Tigers finally found themselves capitalizing on their opportunities in the final minutes. Dinius equalized for the Tigers at the 38:54 mark as he blistered a loose-ball at the top of the penalty area. Dinius would then record another helper seconds before the half as forward Dong Eun gave the Tigers the 4-3 lead on yet another through-ball from Dinius with the help of junior wing Christian Cardenas.

To open the second half the Tigers were confident in securing their lead, and putting an end to the Gael’s offensive threats. Although, the Gael’s Scott would once again leave the Tigers second guessing at the 51:29 mark as he put away his fourth of the day from a free-kick deflection over the head of Bloom who already was committed to the ground.

With time winding down the Tigers began to feel the urgency of the situation as the game was locked in a 4-4 tie. Although, 12 minutes before time Hargrave substitute Sungwon Hwang gave the Tigers the lead off of a Newman corner kick recording his second assist of the day.

The Tigers felt they had the game well-in-hand, but with less than three minutes remaining in the game Holy Cross’ Joe Bruzek put away the equalizer on a loose-ball from the right flank just inside the penalty area. Bruzek would send the game to overtime.

Three and half minutes into the first overtime period the Tiger’s Choi was able to create an opportunity down the left flank on the attacking end deep within the Gael’s defensive third. Choi was then brought down inside the area and awarded the penalty kick. Dinius once again stepped up for the Tigers and put away the game winner to go 3-3 on penalties this season.

The Tiger defense despite giving up five goals to the Gaels were able to hold their opponent to no shots during the two overtime periods. Hargrave outshot their opponent 36-16 while giving up 12 saves to the Gael’s John Cackowski.

Hargrave moves to 2-0 in conference play with Timberlake next on their schedule as the Tigers look to go 3-0.

Hargrave Military Academy logo.