WEB EXCLUSIVE:
The boys’ soccer team advanced to the third round of the playoffs with a thrilling 3-2 double overtime victory over North Pitt Saturday, Nov. 3.
With three minutes left before the game was to be decided in penalty kicks, William Riggsbee scored the game-winning goal off of a corner-kick taken by Pedro Becquer-Ramos.
“He brought it down,” senior Daniel Barker said. “It was a well-placed, smooth, clean volley into back post.
Everyone on the team sprinted onto the field to create a massive dog-pile on Riggsbee. The goal ended a game that seemed a sure victory earlier, before North Pitt tied the match with two goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
With the win, the Chargers will advance to play Corinth Holders Tuesday, Nov. 6.
“I know how hungry they are and how much they want it, and it’s become apparent over the last few weeks,” coach Kevin Tanceusz said. “I expect the boys to play hard, like they always do, play smart and play patient. If they do the things they’ve done all year they will be a legitimate contender to take the title. We play to win every game, from start to end, whistle to whistle.”
At the beginning of the game, NHS struggled to keep possession, but quickly took control when Anthony Castro scored with an assist from Cameron Bright off of a free kick taken by Daniel Barker the end of the first half.
“Cameron made a nice pass back to me and I took a touch to control [the ball], and I quickly took a shot to score. We really needed that goal to change the game,” Castro said.
About halfway into the second half, Castro scored again, assisted by Jerry Silvestri.
“Jerry stepped up to the plate, dribbled through their entire team and sent a through ball to Castro and he finished it,” goalie Chase Golden said.
But North Pitt quickly scored two goals in the last 10 minutes, and the regulation period ended in a 2-2 tie. The game went into two 10-minute halves of overtime, and although both teams had multiple chances to score, neither could finish.
When neither team could score, the game went into double overtime, consisting of two five-minute halves of golden goal (sudden death). And just when things seemed destined for penalty kicks, Riggsbee hit paydirt.
–By Ally DeJong