Rabun Gap-Nacoochee downs Wesleyan Christian in 4A final rematch, 2-1
By Zack Adams, HighSchoolOT reporter
HIGH POINT, N.C. — On Friday night, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (GA) and No. 10 Wesleyan Christian Academy tangled in boys soccer from WCA’s Sanford Field.
The visiting Eagles had been winless on that playing surface until now. Rabun Gap picked up its seventh win of the unique season by narrowly beating Wesleyan Christian, 2-1.
"This is a top team. They (Wesleyan) beat us in the state final last year; the final four the year before," said Rabun Gap-Nacoochee head boys soccer coach Jesse Brown after the final whistle. "We have huge amounts of respect for them. They came to us this year (and) we had a good result, but we're really impressed by the kind of soccer program they have overall and that's what we are trying to re-create here. This is a huge win for us and especially the guys that have been with us for a few years trying to get here. We're just happy with the result today."
The two familiar foes played a back-and-forth first half that featured scoring chances for Rabun Gap and Wesleyan via counterattacks or set pieces. Friday’s non-conference bout remained scoreless until the 39th minute.
The Eagles actually had a set piece with roughly 1:20 remaining in the half. Junior midfielder Marco Pena took the free kick, which found senior defender Marco Gonzalez for the flick-on goal that put Rabun Gap ahead 1-0 on Wesleyan Christian.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School carried its one-goal advantage (1-0) into halftime, despite Wesleyan Christian Academy having two looks at net before the opening 40 minutes were complete.
Wesleyan started the second half with much more urgency than its opponent. The Trojans created scoring tries and hoped to keep the ball on the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee half of the field.
WCA was gifted a penalty kick just nine minutes into the half (49th) as junior Trevor Howard was taken down inside the 18-yard box by one of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s defenders.
That is when senior Konner Robbins stepped to the spot and converted his penalty attempt against Rabun Gap’s sophomore goalie Hugo Garcia to even things up on the scoreboard at 1-1.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee answered back to re-gain control of the lead in the 57th minute as midfielder Will Prim (senior) played a ball across that found junior forward Sebastian Zavala, who leads the team in goals, for the deflection and his 11th scoring tally in 2020.
Wesleyan Christian had a number of chances for an equalizer as the high-stakes game rolled along. WCA nearly struck again with about 14 minutes to go in regulation time, but Rabun Gap was able to clear two opportunities off the line to preserve its 2-1 edge late in the second half.
The final minutes dwindled away and the Eagles were victorious in High Point by a 2-1 final margin. Rabun Gap completed the regular season sweep of Wesleyan Christian with its road win — finals were 4-1 on Sept. 26 and 2-1 on Oct. 9.
In previous years, Wesleyan has definitely got the better of Rabun Gap on the soccer field. The Trojans won the NCISAA 4A state championship, 3-0, in a head-to-head matchup a season ago. WCA had won four straight in the series prior to the shortened 2020 season that is due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (7-2) takes the field again on Monday (Oct. 12) against Bob Jones Academy from South Carolina. That will be the team’s third straight away contest, but the Eagles have won five in a row with six games remaining on their 2020 schedule.
By Zack Adams, HighSchoolOT reporter
HIGH POINT, N.C. — On Friday night, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (GA) and No. 10 Wesleyan Christian Academy tangled in boys soccer from WCA’s Sanford Field.
The visiting Eagles had been winless on that playing surface until now. Rabun Gap picked up its seventh win of the unique season by narrowly beating Wesleyan Christian, 2-1.
"This is a top team. They (Wesleyan) beat us in the state final last year; the final four the year before," said Rabun Gap-Nacoochee head boys soccer coach Jesse Brown after the final whistle. "We have huge amounts of respect for them. They came to us this year (and) we had a good result, but we're really impressed by the kind of soccer program they have overall and that's what we are trying to re-create here. This is a huge win for us and especially the guys that have been with us for a few years trying to get here. We're just happy with the result today."
The two familiar foes played a back-and-forth first half that featured scoring chances for Rabun Gap and Wesleyan via counterattacks or set pieces. Friday’s non-conference bout remained scoreless until the 39th minute.
The Eagles actually had a set piece with roughly 1:20 remaining in the half. Junior midfielder Marco Pena took the free kick, which found senior defender Marco Gonzalez for the flick-on goal that put Rabun Gap ahead 1-0 on Wesleyan Christian.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School carried its one-goal advantage (1-0) into halftime, despite Wesleyan Christian Academy having two looks at net before the opening 40 minutes were complete.
Wesleyan started the second half with much more urgency than its opponent. The Trojans created scoring tries and hoped to keep the ball on the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee half of the field.
WCA was gifted a penalty kick just nine minutes into the half (49th) as junior Trevor Howard was taken down inside the 18-yard box by one of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s defenders.
That is when senior Konner Robbins stepped to the spot and converted his penalty attempt against Rabun Gap’s sophomore goalie Hugo Garcia to even things up on the scoreboard at 1-1.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee answered back to re-gain control of the lead in the 57th minute as midfielder Will Prim (senior) played a ball across that found junior forward Sebastian Zavala, who leads the team in goals, for the deflection and his 11th scoring tally in 2020.
Wesleyan Christian had a number of chances for an equalizer as the high-stakes game rolled along. WCA nearly struck again with about 14 minutes to go in regulation time, but Rabun Gap was able to clear two opportunities off the line to preserve its 2-1 edge late in the second half.
The final minutes dwindled away and the Eagles were victorious in High Point by a 2-1 final margin. Rabun Gap completed the regular season sweep of Wesleyan Christian with its road win — finals were 4-1 on Sept. 26 and 2-1 on Oct. 9.
In previous years, Wesleyan has definitely got the better of Rabun Gap on the soccer field. The Trojans won the NCISAA 4A state championship, 3-0, in a head-to-head matchup a season ago. WCA had won four straight in the series prior to the shortened 2020 season that is due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (7-2) takes the field again on Monday (Oct. 12) against Bob Jones Academy from South Carolina. That will be the team’s third straight away contest, but the Eagles have won five in a row with six games remaining on their 2020 schedule.
