Moore's OT goal lifts GHS to sectional championship

Monday, October 13, 2008
Spencer Moore

MOORESVILLE -- The defense dominated the day, but in the end it was an overtime goal from Spencer Moore that lifted Greencastle boys' soccer to a 2-1 overtime victory over Martinsville and the Mooresville Sectional title.

With 5:41 to play in the second overtime period, Greg Lilly found Moore on a centering pass and the sophomore sent a bolt past Artesian keeper Caleb Stringer.

"They were pressuring us a little bit and we had been on our heels a lot. So we got an opportunity to counter, and they were surprised," GHS coach Dave Lilly said. "We had good ball movement, and had just a beautiful touch across the goal and a great finish.

"Thursday I said we were probably not going to get that many finishing opportunities, and when we get them we have to capitalize. That was one of them, we did and it's on to the next round," he added.

Having regained the lead, Greencastle (13-5) went back to what it had done wonderfully all day--play solid defense.

It was a stressful last five minutes that included Greg Lilly getting a yellow card and having to briefly leave the action, several Artesian charges and several clears by Greencastle.

"Those last two minutes were about the longest two minutes we've played this year. We were just kind of hanging on," coach Lilly said.

GHS goalie Ryan Payne (on ground) covers a Martinsville shot as teammate David Cath looks on.

What the last five minutes didn't see were any Martinsville shots on goal.

This was a pattern that had marked much of the day, though. The quick Artesian players controlled the ball much of the game and were on the attack often. However, a defensive adjustment by the Cubs kept the pressure off of goal keeper Ryan Payne most of the morning.

"We switched up a little bit. We'd been playing 4-3-3; we'd been playing with three forwards. We pulled one guy back a little bit and I put David Cath and Spencer Moore a little bit deeper than what they've been playing for most of the season," coach Lilly said.

The adjustment sprung from last year's sectional opener, in which Martinsville got an early lead and routed GHS 6-0. Lilly and assistant Michael Tucker weren't going to let the fast start happen this time around.

"Last year Martinsville came in here and jumped on us, and we knew they were going to bring a lot of energy early. We wanted to try to hold that first 10-15 minutes even and then make adjustments from there.

"And our adjustments worked; we got on the board against them," he added, "They were looking for the wrong guys to mark. Tucker and I decided that even though some guys hadn't been playing back there, they were good soccer players, and they can play anywhere on the field."

GHS got on the board 28:59 to go in the first period. The defense had held up, but they'd seen few offensive opportunities. However, they capitalized on a corner kick. Cody Watson sent the ball to the middle, and Lilly headed it past Stringer for a 1-0 lead.

"It was a great goal. Greg went up and had a beautiful header," Lilly said. "It's always great to score first, but we've not panicked when we've been down this year, either."

If anyone was panicking, it was the Artesians. Stunned by the GHS lead, their defensemen and keeper began bickering amongst themselves as the half wore on. Before the half was over, the Martinsville crowd had the fear in them and got much more vocal.

Both defenses held for the rest of the half, though, and it was 1-0 Greencastle at the break.

"I told them at halftime I didn't think one goal was going to be enough to win the game. It came true and I'm glad we got it in overtime," Lilly said.

GHS senior Greg Lilly finished two sectional games with four goals and the assist on the sectional-winning goal.

In the second half, Martinsville's goal came unexpectedly. Payne had faced and stopped a number of solid shots. So it was a bit surprising when, off a restart, a long, arching shot from Artesian midfielder Michael Spina slipped through Payne's fingers. The game was tied 1-1 with 28:01 to play in regulation.

"Obviously we let them back in it in the second half. It wasn't a really good goal, and they had a lot of better chances than that," coach Lilly commented. But rather than thinking "Here we go," the Cubs stepped up again.

While both squads had some stressful moments in the late part of regulation, no goals found the net. After a Martinsville corner kick with 10 seconds remaining was off the mark, the game headed to overtime.

The first seven-minute period passed with no goals. Martinsville controlled the ball much of the time, but GHS stayed strong. Payne made a big save with 1:30 to go in the first OT.

Then came the second OT. Lilly's and Moore's charge came 1:19 into the period. From there, they held strong and captured the sectional title.

"We deserved it. Martinsville's a very good team," coach Lilly said. "I'm just ecstatic for our team."

Payne finished the day with five saves. Stringer had four for the Artesians.

Now it's on to Wednesday's Center Grove regional where the Tiger Cubs will battle the hosts.

"Hopefully we'll make a good showing at Center Grove. I expect that we're going to play Center Grove. They've been in the top 10 in the state. Hopefully we'll keep the energy going and give them a run," coach Lilly concluded.

Greencastle will face Center Grove at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

At Mooresville Soccer Complex

Mooresville Boys' Soccer Sectional 42

Championship Match

Martinsville 0 1 0 0 -- 1

Greencastle 1 0 0 1 -- 2

First half

G -- Lilly (Watson ast.) 28:59

Second half

M -- Spina 28:01

Second OT

G -- S. Moore (Lilly ast.) 5:41

Saves -- Stringer 4 (M), Payne 5 (G)

Next match -- Greencastle will face the Center Grove at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Center Grove Regional.

Greencastle boys' soccer is the 2008 Mooresville Sectional champion.

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  • Congratulations Tiger Cubs! We have enjoyed watching you guys play all season. Keep up the momentum and try for a Regional Championship too! Don't just settle with being Sectional Champions, go to the next level proud and play hard, we know you can do it. Good job, we are proud of you.

    -- Posted by HelloMcFly on Sat, Oct 11, 2008, at 2:16 PM
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