A showdown between the top two teams in the fledgling Mid-Atlantic Christian Athletic Association varsity girls soccer teams Monday lived up to its billing as host Community Christian and first-place Christ Covenant of Winterville battled to a 1-1 draw at CCS.
“What everyone was expecting to be a great game with the No. 1 team in the North Division of the MACAA visiting the No. 2 turned out to be just that — a great soccer game with both teams having chances, with great ball movement during the game and with great saves by both goalies,” Cyclones head coach Carl Bradshaw said in an email.
The tie, the first in league matches for CCS, left the Cyclones 11-2-2 overall and 4-1-1 in division games while the unbeaten Spartans exited 9-0-2 overall and 6-0-1 against North Division foes.
Community Christian, which lost 2-0 at Christ Covenant on March 27, saluted its only two seniors, Savannah Ellis and Abigail Jackson, before the game and then grabbed the early lead. Seventh grader Aspen Evans took a pass from the back and sent a through ball to Abril Ventura, who was able to punch it past the Christ Covenant goalkeeper in the 16th minute.
“The rest of the half consisted of both teams having some opportunities, but neither team capitalizing,” Bradshaw said.
The Spartans finally broke through with about 30 minutes to play in the game. Addison Parker took a pass from Morgan Harmon and finished to create a 1-1 deadlock.
But there was still plenty of excitement all the way to the final whistle. With seconds ticking off in the final minute, Cyclones midfielder Autumn Bradshaw sent a cross from the corner into the box. CCS eighth grader Tate Misback took a shot as Spartans goalkeeper Olivia Entizminger made “a finger-tip save” before diving back to stop the ball before it crossed the goal line as time expired as CCS players sagged with disappointment and Christ Covenant players with relief.
Claire Carter collected six saves in goal for the Cyclones while Jackson, Ava Dunn and Payton Dunn were commended for their defensive play by Carl Bradshaw.
“I spoke with our girls after the game, and I told them how proud I was of their effort, their determination, and their fight to finish the game,” he said. “Nobody likes to play 80 minutes and end in a tie, but as I told the girls, Christ Covenant beat us 2-0 at their place, we tied them at our place and our goal is to see them in the state championship game in a couple of weeks, and it will be our turn for a victory.”
Community Christian has two region matches remaining, Tuesday at Victory Christian in Elizabeth City and Friday at Suffolk Christian in Suffolk, Virginia. The MACAA state tournament starts Tuesday, May 2, with the final four set for May 5-6 at Faith Christian in Goldsboro.