East Chapel Hill boys’ soccer wins in PKs over Cardinal Gibbons to take 1st in PAC-6

East Chapel Hill and Cardinal Gibbons’ boys soccer teams needed overtime to try to settle first place in the PAC-6 4A, but that wasn’t enough. Luckily for the Wildcats, this conference has penalty kicks.

Goalkeeper Lee Folger saved two of Gibbons’ PKs to help East Chapel Hill to a 0-0 (3-1, PKs) victory Wednesday night. East Chapel Hill (10-1-2, 6-0) scored on all three of its kicks thanks to Max Feldman, Quinn Albrecht and Jeffrey Solis.

Not every conference breaks its ties. The N.C. High School Athletic Association left it up to each league to decide independently before the 2014 season.

“Even though it was a 0-0 scoreline, it was a pretty awesome battle. It was good soccer and it was fun to watch. If it had ended in a draw, it would have been a fair result,” East Chapel Hill coach Austin Collins said as Folger, standing nearby, whispered “Nah” as a soft objection to that last part.

Folger thanked his back line – Feldman, Chris Balog, Will Heetderks and Theo Lisberger. Not only did they head away crosses by Cardinal Gibbons (9-2-1, 5-1), but when those balls fell to other Crusaders players, the shots were usually blocked by Wildcats defenders before they reached Folger.

“Those four did a great job keeping (Alex Paladino’s) back to the goal and not letting him turn and get in behind the defense,” Folger said.

Turning point

Folger saved the first Gibbons PK to put the pressure squarely on the Crusaders. The next shot he faced sailed over, and East Chapel Hill was ahead 2-0 after Solis scored. Cardinal Gibbons’ Sam Miliken put one away to keep his team alive and was answered by Feldman to put the Wildcats ahead 3-1.

Folger’s last save came diving to his right. The ball trickled underneath his arm and appeared to even the post, but officials said it did not cross over.

They said it

“Honestly, I would have been satisfied with even a loss to this team because they’re such a high-quality opponent,” Folger said. “In a PK shootout, I’m a hero if I save one, so nervousness isn’t usually a factor.”

Three who mattered

Max Feldman, East Chapel Hill: The centerback took numerous Wildcats free kicks and helped block the Crusaders’ shots.

Quinn Albrecht, East Chapel Hill: The nimble midfielder created many of the Wildcats’ chances.

Cameron Stutts, Cardinal Gibbons: Had several last-ditch efforts that kept East Chapel Hill off the board.

By the numbers

10: An odd play – the Cardinal Gibbons goalie handled a back pass that was kicked to him – in the 14th minute gave East Chapel Hill an indirect free kick just 10 yards from goal. The shot sailed too high.

22: Minutes into the second half before East Chapel Hill took its first shot of the half.

17: Seconds left when Cardinal Gibbons’ final shot of overtime was covered up by Folger.

“In the attacking third we weren’t in our game and they did just enough to throw us off,” Crusaders coach Tim Healy said. “We had some chances, but we hit them right at the keeper and he stepped up when he had to.”

Oct. 26: The date for when these teams play each other next, this time at East Chapel Hill.

“We’ve never had all wins before in the first half of conference play,” Collins said. “It makes you feel good, especially with another quality team like Gibbons added in.”

This story was originally published October 7, 2015 at 9:17 PM with the headline "East Chapel Hill boys’ soccer wins in PKs over Cardinal Gibbons to take 1st in PAC-6."