Varsity Soccer Storms Back to Tie EA 4-4

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Story courtesy of Keith Thomas

Pictures courtesy of Anita Richard

8^th ranked Western Alamance used patience and tenacity to forge an incredible comeback on the 9^th ranked Eastern Alamance Eagles last night after being down 4 – 1 early in the 2^nd half.   In their first conference match of the season, the Warriors (4-0-1, 0-0-1) were host to a very physical Eastern Alamance team which saw the Eagles rack up 25 fouls to Western’s 12 and at least 5 yellow cards flagged on the visiting team.   Although the game was rough especially in the later stages of the contest when Western was behind, the Warriors would not let this brute style of play upset their conviction to score as they kept their composure, played great team soccer and used Eastern’ s rough style to their advantage to force a 4 to 4 tie. 

After falling behind 0 – 2 midway through the 1^st half, Western finally scored in the 36^th minute when a Sam Stafford corner kick was cleared back to Stafford who then found senior Jacob Thompson around the six-yard line who finished one of his patented headers for the Warriors 1^st goal.  Right before half, Eastern went up 1 – 3 about 3 minutes later when Trebor Hamilton rebounded a missed shot, kicked the ball toward the left post where Goalie Tyler Billings was in position to grab, but at the last second the ball deflected off a Warrior toward the right post for the score.    

Starting the second half, Eastern’ s Hunter Foster found the back of the net in the 46^th minute on a shot from about 20 yards out to the put the Eagles up 1 – 4.  That would be Eastern’s last goal and last good shot at goal.  At this point, the Warriors could have hung their heads and given up as many teams do after falling behind by 3 goals; however, there was plenty of time left and quitting was not an option.  So a minute later, Stafford assisted senior Jackson Lilly for Western’s 2^nd goal as the momentum began to shift for the Warriors.  At this point, Eastern Alamance started implementing a rougher style of play with many fouls and yellow cards. 

After a foul and eventual ejection of an Eastern player around the 54^th minute, Stafford tallied his 3^rd assist of the game as he found senior Adam Richard for the goal.  The score came off a free kick around the 45-yard line where Stafford placed the ball inside the box as Richard headed it back of the net for a 3 - 4 score.   Both teams battled back and forth for 20 minutes until a “hand ball” was called on Eastern in the 74^th minute inside the box area which allowed Western a Penalty Kick.  With ice in his veins, senior Andrew Falk stepped up and blasted the ball back of the net before the Eagles goalie had a chance to make a save allowing the Warriors to tie right before the end of regulation.   With the score knotted 4 to 4, the teams would play two 10-minute overtime periods to try and determine a winner.  Neither team would score in the OT as the game ended in a 4 to 4 tie.  Western did have several shots near goal; however, the ball would not find the back of the net.

Western plays their 2nd conference game tonight at Rockingham County with the JV game starting at 5:30.  Then Wednesday evening, the boys will host arch-rival the Williams Bulldogs for another top Mid-State conference match-up.  Please come out and support the boys Wednesday night as this will be another big game. 

Additional photos courtesy of Paul Thompson

Link to newspaper story courtesy of Burlington Times-News

Link to newspaper pictures from this game courtesy of the Burlington Times-News