Cary’s hot start leads Imps past Athens Drive boys soccer
Cary’s boys soccer team had to score three unanswered goals to beat Athens Drive in their last meeting on Sept. 16. A slow start wouldn’t be in the books for their second meeting as the Imps scored three times in the first half hour to cruise to a 4-2 victory.
The win keeps Cary’s (8-11, 5-8) pursuit of a wild-card bid alive.
“We control our own destiny,” Cary coach Michael Dunphy said. “If our players give us chance, .500 pretty much gets us in. We win all three (remaining games), I don’t see how we’re not in.”
Logan Griffin added onto his team-leading goal count, burying shots into the bottom left corner in the 10th and 15th minutes.
Teammate George Bournazian followed up with a brace of his own, sneaking in a goal at the 28th minute mark and capitalizing on a long breakaway in the 49th.
Pau-alieu Ann ended the Athens Drive (7-8, 5-8) scoring drought in the 61st minute after an assist from Jory Garibaldi. Brice Moltzon’s 66th minute penalty kick conversion brought legitimacy to the Jaguars’ comeback attempt.
The Imps locked down on their defensive set pieces, keeping four Jaguar corner kicks out of the net in the final five minutes of play to leave Raleigh victorious.
“The boys were absent for the first half,” Athens coach Jeff Nelson said. “We learned a recurring lesson that you have to go out and give it all every night.”
Turning point
With goalkeeper Michael Hoff off his line, Jake Powell prevented Cary from having to play from behind, narrowly clearing the Michael Flecker shot off his goalline.
They said it
“I can tell a lot of times during warm-ups, get a vibe of what’s going on,” Dunphy said. “They were sharp and responded well.”
Three who mattered
Michael Hoff, Cary: Hoff was thrust into the starting role after starting goalkeeper Oscar Islas fell ill during the school day. He responded well, making a game-high six saves.
“I sent (Hoff) a text that said ‘You’re starting tonight and I need a big performance from you’ and he played within himself,” Dunphy said.
Nathan Foster, Athens Drive: Foster’s ball movement on the wing was a bright spot for the Jaguars’ attack in the second half.
Logan Griffin, Cary: Griffin’s two goals out of the gate gave the Imps the momentum they needed.
By the numbers
5-plus: Since letting up two goals in their first meeting, Cary has lead 7-2 on aggregate ever since.
3: Goals scored by the Imps in 1-on-1 chances with the keeper.
This story was originally published October 19, 2015 at 9:50 PM with the headline "Cary’s hot start leads Imps past Athens Drive boys soccer."