Hargrave 3 – VES 2 in OT
The Hargrave Tigers Soccer Team won a thriller in overtime on Saturday, during their own rendition of the mud bowl, over the Bishops of VES 3-2.
The midfield led the way for the Tigers as senior Tony Cain and junior Mike Badolato each added a goal and an assist on the afternoon, including combining for the overtime winner, while junior Austin Newman followed suit with a goal of his own to lead the Tigers to the win over the 17th ranked team in the state.
The Tigers came out fired up for the match, and for a chance to prove themselves against the ranked Bishops. That intensity almost seemingly delivered for the Tigers as they took the lead on an Austin Newman free-kick just seven minutes into the match. From nearly 20 yards out Newman struck home the direct shot just over the standing wall, and gave the Tigers the 1-0 advantage.
As the game went on field conditions began to get worse for both sides as the grass that was once there began to tear away into mud. Dribbling and passing were hard to come by, but yet both sides still made threats at either end. Although, the Tigers would strike once again on a Mike Badolato goal with less than a minute remaining in the half as he linked up with midfielder Tony Cain on their first of two occasions on the day. Cain played a well placed through ball to Badolato from the left wing, and as Badolato collected the ball he was able to beat a couple of the VES defenders. As the mud did not help the situation Badolato was still able to get the shot off, and blistered the hit well past the Bishops’ keeper.
As the second half began the Tigers would find themselves once again put to the test. The Bishops came out with a renewed sense of urgency, and intensified their pressure on the Tiger defense as they continuously looked to push forward. Then, 13 minutes into the second half an unfortunate penalty was called on the Tigers after a hold inside the box on an ensuing corner kick for the Bishops. McLean stepped for the Bishops, and hit home the penalty to bring the away side one back. Despite the goal the Tigers continued to play hard and continued to play well. Field conditions got worse for both sides, though, as one side of the field seemed to turn into a virtual mud pit. Then 11 minutes later the Bishops struck again on an errored clearance out of the back. Once again McLean for the Bishops was there to capitalize on the mistake as he blistered a shot under the diving attempt from the Tiger keeper Nathan Bloom.
With the game tied 2-2 there was now a whole new look to the contest. Although, the Tigers stood strong, and along with outstanding defensive play and outstanding goalkeeping the Tigers were able to hold of the momentum shift from the Bishops’ attack. Goalkeeper Nathan Bloom was once again superb in the net for the Tigers as he came up with save after save on several VES chances in the tough field conditions.
As the regulation whistle blew the Tigers and the Bishops headed for overtime. Play evened out once again, and the Tigers showed that after giving up the two goal lead they would not end the match without having a go at getting back the lead and the possible win. With less than a minute remaining in the first overtime period the Tigers struck as Badolato and Cain once again hooked for the lead and the eventual game winning goal. Badolato took the ensuing throw-in down in the Bishops defensive third after the ball left the field of play, and with everything he could muster threw a long throw into the box. It appeared that the VES goalkeeper was going to collect the throw, but instead tipped it up behind him around the six yard box where Cain was waiting as he went up in a contested crowd to head home the 3-2 lead. The Tigers were then able to hold off the Bishops during the course of the second overtime, and as the final whistle sounded the Tigers came off the field tired, hurt, and covered with mud, but with a sense of achievement and celebration after the big overtime win.
Game Statistics:
|
Team |
1 |
2 |
OT |
OT |
Final |
|
Hargrave |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
VES |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
Scoring Summary:
Time Team Goal Scorer/(Assists)
7’ HMA Newman (unassisted)
39’ HMA Badolato (Cain)
53’ VES McLean (pk)
64’ VES McLean (unassisted)
85’ HMA Cain (Badolato)
Shots Summary:
HMA, 16 VES, 24
Saves Summary:
HMA, 21 VES, 7
Corner Kicks:
HMA, 3 VES, 1
Fouls Committed:
HMA, 13 VES, 11
