APA falls to Concord Academy in state semifinals
One of the greatest seasons in Arendell Parrott boys’ soccer history came to a heartbreaking end Tuesday.
The Patriots fell to Concord Academy 5-4 in the NCISAA 3A semifinals as the Eagles advanced to the title game for the second straight year. APA (17-7) trailed big early, but made comebacks which were ultimately cut short in the team’s first appearance in the Final Four since 2002.
“I think we got a little bit too relaxed and let them back into the game,” Concord Academy coach Scott Wagner said. “They’re a good team — there aren’t bad teams in the semifinals — and it was a good game overall.”
Concord Academy (17-6) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half, but APA struck back in the waning minutes. Asher Lowry scored on a pass from Connor Woelfel in the 37th minute, then rebounded the ball off a carom and put in a second goal to narrow the deficit to 3-2 going into the break. APA’s Taylor Llewellyn made several acrobatic saves to keep the score intact, and when Woelfel booted one from 20 yards away on what looked to be a pass initially, the Patriots were tied in the 62nd minute
Concord Academy struck back 10 minutes later with a free kick opportunity. Richie Medina-Ortiz curved the ball on the shot past Llewellyn to make it 4-3 and waved to the crowd as the Eagles held the advantage with 8:08 to play. Instead, APA picked up the equalizer soon after as Lowry scored his third goal — this one off a penalty kick — to make it 4-4 with 6:23 to play.
The score wouldn’t remain the same long, as Valentino Lira scored the game winner with 3:17 remaining. The Patriots’ best chance came with a direct shot, but Branson Sotela made the save with 1:36 remaining.
Despite the loss, APA coach Henry Piner said it has been a great season overall, one where the team set records for wins.
“I can’t be any more proud of these guys,” Piner said. “They fought throughout the season, were behind 3-0 in this game, and made it a great semifinals game against a great Concord team. I couldn’t ask for much more.”
One of the greatest seasons in Arendell Parrott boys’ soccer history came to a heartbreaking end Tuesday.
The Patriots fell to Concord Academy 5-4 in the NCISAA 3A semifinals as the Eagles advanced to the title game for the second straight year. APA (17-7) trailed big early, but made comebacks which were ultimately cut short in the team’s first appearance in the Final Four since 2002.
“I think we got a little bit too relaxed and let them back into the game,” Concord Academy coach Scott Wagner said. “They’re a good team — there aren’t bad teams in the semifinals — and it was a good game overall.”
Concord Academy (17-6) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half, but APA struck back in the waning minutes. Asher Lowry scored on a pass from Connor Woelfel in the 37th minute, then rebounded the ball off a carom and put in a second goal to narrow the deficit to 3-2 going into the break. APA’s Taylor Llewellyn made several acrobatic saves to keep the score intact, and when Woelfel booted one from 20 yards away on what looked to be a pass initially, the Patriots were tied in the 62nd minute
Concord Academy struck back 10 minutes later with a free kick opportunity. Richie Medina-Ortiz curved the ball on the shot past Llewellyn to make it 4-3 and waved to the crowd as the Eagles held the advantage with 8:08 to play. Instead, APA picked up the equalizer soon after as Lowry scored his third goal — this one off a penalty kick — to make it 4-4 with 6:23 to play.
The score wouldn’t remain the same long, as Valentino Lira scored the game winner with 3:17 remaining. The Patriots’ best chance came with a direct shot, but Branson Sotela made the save with 1:36 remaining.
Despite the loss, APA coach Henry Piner said it has been a great season overall, one where the team set records for wins.
“I can’t be any more proud of these guys,” Piner said. “They fought throughout the season, were behind 3-0 in this game, and made it a great semifinals game against a great Concord team. I couldn’t ask for much more.”
