In a low-scoring game like soccer, a two-goal deficit in an elimination game can almost mean a death sentence for the team that is down.
Add in a roster that is chock full of players with little to no state tournament experience, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
The Caesar Rodney High School boys soccer team defied both those conventions Nov. 11, however, when after going down two goals early in the game, it came back to win 3-2 and advance to the tournament’s second round.
In the 76th minute of the contest, shortly after the No. 9 Riders tied the game on an Aaron Boyce goal at two, junior midfielder KJ Hall beat the No. 8 St. Elizabeth High School keeper to give his team the go-ahead and seal a trip to the second round.
Head Coach Darrell Gravatt said the key to the comeback was keeping composure and realizing the normally-potent Rider offense had plenty of time to swing things in their favor after going down 2-0 by the 33rd minute.
In the 35th minute, junior Mike Clark was hauled down on his way to the goal, drawing a penalty kick for his team. Senior co-captain Jesse Marano took the kick and scored to cut the St. E’s lead in half.
“We knew we weren’t playing bad at all,” Gravatt said. “I didn’t think they were two goals better than us. At the half we told the guys, ‘this is a pick’em game. We can play with this team. If we don’t give up another goal we can win.’”
The CR defense went into shut-down mode in the second half, but shortly after Boyce tied the score in the 70th minute, the Vikings got a shot off that looked to be a sure goal.
That was until senior keeper and co-captain Bryce Morrow launched across the goal to make a diving save, quite possibly a season-saving save.
“My heart sunk on that shot,” Marano said. “Like that roller coaster feeling you get.”
“One of the best saves I’ve ever seen,” a visibly excited Gravatt said following the game. “That was the save of the game. Bryce makes that save and everyone just rose up to that level, and shortly after you have KJ hit a great ball. It was just a great game.”
The Riders advance to face No. 1 Salesianum School in the second round, which has been postponed due to weather to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at Caravel Academy, Bear.
Salesianum advanced after defeating No. 16 Tatnall, 3-0, Nov. 11.
