Varsity Soccer vs. VIC Conference Playoff – Grace Christian

The Hargrave Varsity Soccer Team edged out Grace Christian, on Tuesday, and survived a late comeback to win the game on penalty kicks.

Hargrave came out strong in the first half, intensified and ready to begin their first game of the conference playoffs. The Tigers right away came out with a strong effort against the Grace Christian Warriors. and immediately began putting pressure on their opponent, controlling the flow of play.

In the 19th minute the Tigers netted their first goal of the match. Kayode Ogunnaike, with hard-work in the offensive zone sprung loose down the right side of the field. Ogunnaike was quickly closed on, but was fouled after a hard shoulder hit bringing him down inside the box. Charles Amos (1G) would once again step up for the Tigers and finish the ensuing penalty kick giving the Tigers the 1-0 lead.

Then, five minutes later the Tigers continued to build upon their momentum, and notched their second goal of the match. Once again Kayode Ogunnaike (1G, 1A) received a bouncing ball to left side of the Warriors goal. Ogunnaike sent in a lofted ball over the keeper’s head and into the path of Daniel Kroh (1G) who headed the ball into the back of the net putting the Tigers up 2-0.

The Tigers would close out the half with the 2-0 lead after several good saves from goalkeeper Garret Torney, and a good defensive effort from the Tiger’s back line.

In the second half a rejuvenated Grace Christian team immediately began putting pressure on the Tigers both offensively and defensively. The Tigers were able to hold the early surge from the Warriors through 13 minutes of the second half, until their opponent inched closer to the Tiger lead, 2-1. The Tigers, though, would not fold under the Warrior goal, and with 21 minutes remaining in the game tallied their third goal of the match. Nathan LeNoir found himself with an open shot from just outside the 18 yard box. The shot caromed off the post just inches away from scoring, but Kayode Ogunnaike was there to follow-up the shot, and put in the rebound for the Tigers giving them the 3-1 lead.

Hargrave seemed to have the match locked away, but the Warriors continued to come at the Tiger’s goal. Then, the imaginable happened when the Warriors tallied two goals in the final four minutes of the game to tie the score at 3-3.

The game would be sent into two five minute overtimes. Neither team would score, although, chances did present themselves. The game would then go into two five minute sudden death overtimes where both teams saw a chance to end the game, but just nearly missed, sailing their shots wide of the goal.

The game would then be settled by penalty kicks, with each team choosing five players from their respective teams. Chris Martelli stepped up first for the Tigers, and with calm nerves nailed the shot into the back of the net. The Warriors shooter would miss, sailing the ball wide of the goal. After one round the Tigers lead 1-0. The Tiger’s shooter would then miss their next shot, leaving the door open for the Warriors to draw even. Although, the Warrior’s kicker would hit the ball off the crossbar, ending the second round still at 1-0. The Tiger’s Josh Splinter would be the third round kicker for Hargrave, and put the ball in the back of the net. The Warriors would have the next shot, but goalkeeper Garret Torney would make the save, and end the third round at 2-0 for the Tigers. With only two shooters left Hargrave only needed one more goal to close out the victory. Nathan LeNoir stepped up for the Tigers in the fourth round, and buried the ball into the back of the net; ending the game and sending the Tigers into the semifinals of the conference playoffs.

The Tigers (10-3-1 overall) will now travel to Eastern Mennonite for the next round of the playoffs. Kick-off time is 4pm.

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