4A Soccer - Hoggard shocks Apex, advances to sectional
November 7th, 2007 Posted in High School Soccer, High School Playoffs
Photo: Apex soccer, earlier this season
Playoff soccer team web sites are on this NCHSAA fall playoffs site: NC high school playoffs web site, including playoff photos on this page and playoff videos here.. Move any LR photo or video to your personal (player, coach, or fan) LR web site by clicking the “add to favorites link” by every LR photo and video.
After a defensive first half, the H.T. Hoggard Vikings mens soccer team put a 54th minute header goal past the stingy Apex Cougars defense to advance to the 4A East Semifinal against the #1 ranked Broughton Caps.
Both teams adopted a defensive posture in the first half, with the visiting Hoggard Vikings playing an offside trap. The Apex Cougars tried to go around the offside trap and managed to play a few balls across the front of the goal, but couldn’t find anyone to connect on the back side. Midfielder Zac Tigner also tried a few from long range, with no luck.
The Cougar defense was carried by right defender Michael Forsyth with help from goalkeeper Ryan Hanson and left defender Parker McNeely. This core, all sophomores, showed poise and control as they calmly cleared away or saved all the Viking attempts in the half.
Hoggard thought they had scored in the 34th minute, but the goal was brought back for offside. Apex and Hoggard fought through the last 6 minutes of the half with great intensity, with Apex’s best scoring chance brought on a breakaway by midfielder Tigner. Apex also put a ball into the box, but it was too far to reach for the Cougar’s Mike Smith.
The first half intensity carried over to the second half as Apex started attacking right from the kickoff. Within the first minute, Apex put a shot off the top of the bar. The teams began recklessly counter attacking, trying to sneak in a goal with the other team off guard.
Hoggard caught fire in the 49th minute and pushed for a goal. Apex managed to keep the attack off for a while, with numerous punch saves by Hanson and defensive headers, but the Vikings kept charging. They were finally rewarded in the 54th minute, when after a throw-in from the left side, the Vikings paired two headers together and the ball was headed to the left post with the Cougars keeper Hanson on the other side. Although Forsyth cleared the ball away, the referee judged the ball to have crossed the line and awarded Hoggard the goal.
With only 24 minutes to play, Apex began relentlessly attacking the goal. Mike Smith and Zac Tigner got into the action for the Cougars. Tigner’s long shot was punched over the bar for an Apex corner kick. Hoggard won the battle in the air off the corner and cleared it out easily.
As the Cougars made their final push for a goal late in the game, Hoggard freshman Bill Davis scored an insurance goal for the Vikings with 38 seconds to play. Hoggard goes on to the sectional match to face the Broughton Caps at Broughton, who defeated Panther Creek 5-0 last night to secure their birth.
Other 4A Mens Soccer 3rd Round Scores:
Broughton 5, Panther Creek 0 (11/6)
Green Hope 2, Leesville Road 1
Sanderson 4, E.A. Laney 1
Grimsley 3, South Meck 2 (OT)
RJ Reynolds over Weddington in PKs
North Meck 1, Providence 0
East Forsyth 3, Mt. Tabor 0
4th Round Matchups:
Hoggard at Broughton
Sanderson at Green Hope
East Forsyth at North Meck
RJ Reynolds at Grimsley
[where: 27609]
[where: 28403]
