BOYS' SOCCER: Greenfield turns back WCDS in PK shootout

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on September 2, 2016 1:48 PM

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In Thursday's game between Wayne Country Day and Greenfield, 80 minutes of action was not enough to decide a winner.

Neither were the two 10-minute overtime halves.

Tied at 2-2, the game progressed to the dreaded penalty-kick shootout phase. WCDS had first-year starter Mitch Turnage in goal, while the Knights had senior captain Cedric Kirby.

Kirby's experience proved paramount as the Knights topped the Chargers 4-3 and WCDS its second loss of the season.

Seven of the past eight matchups between the Chargers and Knights has been decided by two goals or less. In their most recent meeting, the Chargers came away with a 1-0 victory in the semifinals of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A playoffs.

Though it's early September, the matchup teemed with the same pressure-filled tension normally found deep into the playoffs.

"It just went to PK's and it's a lottery," said WCDS head coach Steve Ellis. "They've got a keeper who's been playing 15 years as a goalkeeper -- that was the difference, really."

The first half was primarily a defensive battle, with both teams constantly exchanging possession. Greenfield broke the stalemate in the 34th minute when Benji Rodriguez tapped the ball in from 10 yards out.

WCDS increased its offensive pressure in the second half, which eventually led to a free kick opportunity for senior Noah Adkins in the 47th minute. The kick ricocheted off the crossbar, and landed just inside the white line for the Chargers' first goal.

Just 10 minutes later, Ben Cohen -- who has been sidelined with pneumonia -- zoomed 40 yards past several Knights defenders and easily tapped in a goal to give the Chargers a 2-1 lead.

But in the 75th minute, Greenfield took advantage of Wayne Country Day's scrambling defense, and the ball was headed over Turnage's head to tie the match.

"We outplayed them. We were better organized and tactically better," Ellis said. "They got a lucky goal right at the end of normal time. And it's just one of those things that the boys will learn."

In the overtime halves, both teams had serious opportunities to score, but each defense remained steadfast in its approach.

Adkins, junior Hunter Bryson and Cohen scored for WCDS in the shootout. Juniors Luis Lopez and John Thompson missed their attempts. Greenfield captain James Wells scored the winning penalty kick.

"You know, we could've switched the keepers," Ellis said. "But to give Mitch the experience may benefit us down the line. We just went with Mitch and we're happy with what Mitch did."

Ellis hinted that WCDS may see Greenfield three more times this season -- one more in the regular season, one in the conference tournament and another time in the state tournament.

And in those possible matchups, he still likes his team's chances.

"I'm happy," Ellis said. "Everything is pretty much as expected. It could've gone either way. That was our big challenge so far. I felt at 2-1, we could've hung on, but we just gave up a stupid goal.

"And as I said, I think we were the better team."