Gryphons score first goal, but Knights force draw at home
June 13, 2008 By Chris Mizelle of Northern Nash High School
Gryphons score first goal, but Knights force draw at home
Thursday, October 4, 2007
By Trevor Seibert
Telegram Correspondent
Fans and players waited 15 minutes past the initial starting time for the Northern Nash-Rocky Mount High boy's soccer match.
First, one official was missing. Then, unexpectedly, half of the lights went out, leaving half the pitch unlighted.
Both teams were not phased by the distractions, playing to a 1-1 draw Wednesday, leaving Rocky Mount coach Patrick Sensiba with questions.
"We've got some owrk to do," Sensiba said. "We've digressed. I'm doing something wrong; we're doing something wrong."
The Knights (10-3-2, 3-2-1 NEW 6) appeared to score first but an offsides call nullified the goal.
The Gryphons (8-2-3, 4-0-2 NEW 6) took the lead when Matt Moore's shot cleared the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Casey Bissette and into the net with just seconds remaining in the first half.
Five minutes into the second half, the Gryphons were called for a foul in the penalty box, creating an opportunity for Northern Nash.
Knights defender Chris Mizelle took advantage and scored the game-tying goal.
"(Mizelle) steps up when we need him to," Northern Nash coach Joe McCarthy said.
"(Mizelle) has a lot of confidence and I have a lot of confidence in him too."
Both teams will play strong opponents next, with the Gryphons traveling to Jacksonville on Friday and Northern Nash heading to Wilson Fike on Monday.
"I want our guys to stop the style of play we have right now," Sensiba said. "We cannot force the ball and play selfishly. We're going to go back to the drawing board and see what happens."
Bissette led the Knights with six saves but left as time expired in the second half with a leg injury.
Rocky Mount High 1
Northern Nash 1
Goals: RMH - Matt Moore NN - Chris Mizelle
Assists: RMH - Hunter Perry
Saves: RMH - Justin Adams 5 NN - Casey Bissette 6, Jackson Bowen 1 |
NATIONAL
NORTH CAROLINA
