SAINT MARY’S ACADEMY vs NACKAWIC HIGH SCHOOL
Sunday, October 15th – as a result of finishing ahead of Polyvalente A-J Savoie of Saint-Quentin the Eagles earned the right to host Nackawic High School (NHS) at the turf field in Edmundston. The roster was relatively full missing only Alex Viala and Eita Nakashima.
The day was drizzly, but playing conditions were good. Players were excited and the coach was a little nervous before kick-off with some players not at the field with 15 minutes to game time.
This game was very physical. Zizou – always a scoring threat – got hacked down a few times but fortunately was not injured. Lorenzo – another scoring threat – also took a few hits and had to leave the field in the second half after getting a hard boot to the ankle. Fortunately, he was able to return to the game. ICYMI here’s what happened…
In the 11th minute a cross from Zizou found Horland who steered the ball to the net with a one-touch shot. The NHS keeper made the initial block but Horland stayed focused with his eye on the ball and put the rebound into the back of the net. Gab, always a stalwart in net, was unable to stop three shots at 21, 22 and 32 minutes. Coach Kevin was starting to think about what to say at half-time, when SMA was awarded a penalty in extra time. J-P stepped in to take the penalty and converted it to lift spirits. We went into half time with only a 1 goal deficit. The Eagles trailed 3-2.
Everyone played in the first half. Hoping to erase the 1 goal difference, the coach was reluctant to disrupt the game flow and placed a huge reliance on the regular starters. Some changes occurred with Sookie’s foot being impacted. She had her big toe on display and for sure will lose that pretty, not so pretty, green and blue toenail – a typical soccer toe injury.
A reminder that goals can come from anywhere when at the 7th minute of the 2nd half, Issa received the ball and from 15 yards out put a beautiful chip over the NHS keeper and tied the score. In minute 55, Zizou found Lorenzo running into space and made a brilliant pass to send Lorenzo in behind the NHS defence. Lorenzo beat the charging goalie with a shot that grazes the post and found the back of the net. 4:3 Eagles. A red card awarded to the opposition, and we were given time with a man advantage. With time running out, NHS were given a free kick to the left side of the penalty area and their player ripped a shot from that distance and into the net. 4:4.
Throughout the game SMA had 7 or 8 near misses causing audible groans from the spectators, and which could have put the game well out of reach. Seeding games like play-off need a result so it was off to extra time. After the 2 five-minute halves the score remained deadlocked at 4:4. Get ready for a keeper’s worst nightmare-penalty kicks. That’s a big net to protect folks.
Gab stayed calm and with his two great saves in penalties, the Eagles took the game with 5 out of 6 successful penalties as Ice Man Dimitrije drove the 6th PK home. Gabe’s 2nd save sealed the deal.
Next game is Wednesday, October 18 at 5:30 PM against the Fredericton Christian Academy, right here in Edmundston at CDJ turf field. Go Eagles!