The No.1 ranked 4A Catawba Ridge Copperheads boys’ soccer team got the best of the Nation Ford Falcons Wednesday in a highly anticipated match for both schools.
Catawba Ridge, who moved into the No. 1 spot in 4A this week, won 3-1 over the Falcons with two second half goals. The game between the two schools is the only one scheduled for this season. While the Copperheads have already beaten Fort Mill twice this season and is scheduled to play them towards the end of the season again, this victory gives them a 3-0 record against the other two local high schools in town.
Each team entered the game with six wins early in the season, but it was the Copperheads that remained undefeated to improve to 7-0-2 on the year with the win. The loss drops Nation Ford to 6-4-0 overall.
“The first 15 minutes was the best 15 minutes we played all season,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Phillip McCarter. “They (Nation Ford) are a great team and are well coached.”
Both schools traded corner kicks in the first eight minutes of play and were split on time of possession for the most part. Catawba Ridge struck first in the 13th minute of the game as Dalton Bailey launched the ball so hard it bounced off the Falcons’ keeper hands and trickled into the goal to put the Copperheads on the board.
The celebration for Catawba Ridge was short lived as two minutes later Nation Ford’s Luke Marlovits tied the game on a deflection as well.
The tie seemed to settle down each side as they traded shots on goal and possession with neither team being able to grab a clear advantage.
Much like the first half, the battle for control for both schools was a struggle early in the second. Each got good looks at potential shots, but defensively couldn’t punch anything in. That changed on a corner kick by Catawba Ridge which ended up having Ben Hudgins finding the back of the net for the Copperheads’ lead about seven minutes into the second half.
Nation Ford seemed to press a little to look for openings after getting down and not being able to capitalized on opportunities like they did early in the first half. Catawba Ridge seemed to have no trouble setting up a wall against the Falcons’ offense and clearing nearly everything that got near the box.
“I thought Catawba played well and executed on a set piece that changed the game,” said Nation Ford head coach Kenny Halas. “We pushed a little forward at the end to try to equalize. Well done on their end.”
Catawba Ridge didn’t have as many second half chances, but took advantage of the ones they had as they pulled away with a goal from Nate Clark with about 3:30 left in the game.
Catawba Ridge now turns its attention to South Pointe on the road in their first Region 3-4A match of the season, which is scheduled for Friday. Nation Ford is next scheduled to play Gaffney at home March 18 in its first Region 3-5A match.
Tennis
The Catawba Ridge boys’ tennis team fell 7-0 to Covenant Day Wednesday evening. Catawba Ridge is scheduled to play again South Pointe today to open region play.
Track
Northwestern beat Fort Mill track team sweeping both the boys’ and girls’ teams. The Trojans boys won 84-53 and the girls track program for Northwestern won 71-57.
Girls Lacrosse
Catawba Ridge beat Christ Church 15-10 after trailing 7-4 at the half. The Copperheads are scheduled to play again Friday at South Meck. Catawba Ridge is now 2-5 overall.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
