The Clover Blue Eagles pulled away in the fourth quarter to take a 11-4 win over the Catawba Ridge Copperheads.
Catawba Ridge kept it close through three quarters trailing 6-3 to enter the final period, when Clover scored four goals in about five minutes. Catawba Ridge fell to 5-6 overall and 0-3 in Region 3-5A
“We ran out of steam,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Mike Gambrill. “We are finally healthy. We executed the game plan for about two and a half quarters. We are trying to build and get ready for the playoffs. We have to see how things fall.”
Clover opened the match scoring 13 seconds after the initial face off.
Catawba Ridge took a little time, but bounced back scoring with 9:37 left in the opening quarter with a goal from Will Gambrill.
Despite the early success by the Copperheads, Clover started controlling possession more resulting in two goals and an early 3-1 lead.
Catawba Ridge was able to gain possession on a couple of occasions, but turnovers hurt their effectiveness. When they were able to get shots attempts, they were off the target.
About 64 seconds into the second quarter, Hayden Christenberry scored the Copperheads’ second goal of the game to cut into the Clover lead. Catawba Ridge tied the match up at three with about eight minutes left in the second quarter on a Caleb Williams goal.
The Blue Eagles quickly regained the lead less than 30 seconds later after winning the ensuing face off.
The Copperheads’ offense was more patient in the quarter taking their time to set up its shots. At times the patience would pay off but also limited the number of shots they could get on a possession.
Clover on the other hand was able to take advantage of their possession and went up 5-3 with less than three minutes left in the first half. That score would hold going to the locker room.
Catawba Ridge had possession early in the third quarter, and had good looks at the goal, but could not score. Clover on the other end was able to make the most of their possession and scored at 8:21 in the third quarter.
The Copperheads often had their possessions lead to turnovers due to poor ball handling and losing ground balls.
Clover opened the fourth quarter scoring 12 seconds into play. That opened the flood gates as the Blue Eagles scored three more goal to go up 10-3.
Catawba Ridge did get a fourth goal with 3:21 left by Jake Johnson. However, Clover also added another goal before the end of the game.
April 2 Roundup
The Fort Mill baseball team won game two over Northwestern 6-1 in their best of three game series. Fort Mill is now 11-3 on the season and 8-3 in Region 3-5A.
The Catawba Ridge baseball team beat Indian Land 2-1 to even their three-game series. The Copperheads are now 8-5-1 overall and 5-3 in Region 3-5A.
The Catawba Ridge softball team beat South Florence 11-1 in non-region action to improve to 17-0 on the season.
The Nation Ford boys’ lacrosse team beat Fort Mill 11-7 at home to improve to 2-1 in Region 3-5A and 8-3 overall on the season. Fort Mill dropped to 1-2 in the region and 7-5 overall.
The Nation Ford baseball team fell 11-4 to Rock Hill to even their series at one game a piece in the best of three. The Falcons dropped to 5-3 in Region 3-5A and 7-6 overall on the season.
The Nation Ford girls’ lacrosse team lost 16-6 to River Bluff on the road to drop to 2-9 on the season.
The Nation Ford golf team beat York 161-186. Oliver LaPointe shot a 38 to lead Nation Ford. He was followed by Jackson Metzger with a 40, Alex Bodel with a 41, James Wachtel with a 42 and both Connor Mills and Landon Snuffer shot a 43.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
