For the second time in their second meeting this year, the Catawba Ridge Copperheads outlasted Nation Ford edging them in penalty kicks.
After a scoreless regulation and overtime, the Copperheads won 5-3 on penalties. Catawba Ridge hit all five of their penalty kicks with goals coming from Joshua Zawlocki, Nathanael Finley, Jermaine Smith, Camden Gifford, and Luke Mantel. Nation Ford’s goals came from Griffin Duncan, Alec Lindenberg and Henrique Santos.
“There isn’t a whole lot separating us,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Dr. Phillip McCarter. “We talked about finishing shots, but its difficult. They are a great team. We knew it was going to be a tough game.”
Catawba Ridge improved to 12-3 on the season and 8-1 in Region 3-5A, while Nation Ford fell to 15-5 and 7-3 in the region.
Catawba Ridge took early possession in the opening minutes of the first half. Nation Ford had their share of good looks and even got a corner seven minutes into the match.
The Falcons were able to control possession as play wore on, but Catawba Ridge was able to put together some offense and got a shot off in the 14th minute.
The Copperheads got a penalty kick from Jermaine Smith about midway through the first half that bounced off the right post of the goal. Smith got another attempt a couple minutes later as Catawba Ridge bounced a third consecutive shot off the post, this time off the top on a kick from Camden Gifford, in the 25th minute.
The Copperheads continued to control possession as the first half continued, but struggled in the box to find the net. That struggle led both teams to the half scoreless.
In the second half, Catawba Ridge almost scored in a corner kick three minutes into play.
Nation Ford came out more aggressive on defense trying to cut off passing lanes for the Copperheads. The Falcons did have a corner kick in the 47th minute that Copperheads keeper Liam Prendergast was able to deflect.
In the 66th minute, Smith again fired a shot at the goal, but the Falcons’ keeper JJ Podlasek wasn’t caught off guard.
While the opportunities weren’t there as much for Nation Ford, defensively they were sound and kept the Copperheads from getting any breakaways.
Gifford had another chance for Catawba Ridge with eight minutes left in regulation, but the ball rode the top bar and skimmed off without going in.
Nation Ford picked up the pace in the final five minutes, but Prendergast was on his game in stopping the Falcons’ attempts.
Gifford also had a penalty kick with four minutes left, but the Falcons were able to clear the shot as the match went into overtime.
Nation Ford head coach Kenny Halas said he feels there is no difference between his team and the Copperheads.
“They had more chances,” Halas said. “Defensively there were no goals. The guys have to do what we train to do.”
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
