Gators claim conference win

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 16, 2008 1:46 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Overtime.

A game-winning PK.

A Gatorade bath.

State-ranked Spring Creek experienced all that -- and more -- in a critical 3-2 victory over Class 1-A Carolina Conference opponent North Johnston on Wednesday afternoon. Jose Vasquez's penalty kick in overtime sealed the Gators' comeback and gave them sole possession of the conference lead at 3-0-1.

In their previous meeting, Spring Creek and North Johnston played to a 2-2 tie.

"That (Vasquez's PK) was the ballgame," said Gators head coach Johnny Galarza. "Both teams had plenty of shots and we missed them. We've been practicing those penalty kicks.

"I usually get three or four (guys) and whoever misses is out. Whoever doesn't miss is the designated guy for that game."

North Johnston (9-7-2, 2-1-1) had opportunities at potential go-ahead goals in overtime. In the first OT, Jordan Eatmon found himself one-on-one with Spring Creek keeper Angel Sanchez only to have his shot sail wide. The Panthers had an opportunity to slip a loose ball inside the 18-yard box past Sanchez in the second OT, but Mauricio Cortes was whistled for a hand ball.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Gators possessed much more energy and aggressiveness in the second half. Spring Creek held a 15-4 advantage in shots on goal in the second half and two overtime periods.

Omar Zavala's goal on a header off a free kick midway through the second half evened the score at 2-2. Moments earlier, Ricardo Rangel scored on an assist from Raul Fuentes, which sliced North Johnston's lead to 2-1.

"Every game we start out sluggish," said Galarza. "Once we get that first score in us we get it going, that's all it takes. At halftime, everyone has already been through the game and they say 'we can this.'

"They see what they're doing wrong and I talk to them and they get hyped. At the beginning of the game they don't have that emotion, but in the second half they sweat a little bit and they get that hunger and killer instinct in them."

Eatmon's goal off a header put North Johnston on top 1-0 in the first half. Brett Schullery deflected a throw-in past Sanchez early in the second half to extend the advantage to 2-0.

Spring Creek travels to Ayden-Grifton on Monday.