LONDON — The season might be young, but the South Laurel boys’ soccer team has shown they’re going to be a team to reckon with in the 13th Region this fall.
The Cardinals spotted Wayne County a 3-0 before rallying to defeat their counterparts, 6-4, while improving to an impressive 4-0 during the process.
“It was a little rough through the first half,” South Laurel coach Brooks Cawood said. “We started the second half down, 3-0. Our boys played extremely tough and came back. We were up 4-3 and then they executed a PK they were given. We stayed with it and were able to end the match with a 6-4 win.
“Both teams played aggressive and fought hard for a full 80 minutes,” he added. “I am super-proud that our boys didn’t give up and kept fighting. We were able to score six goals in 40 minutes against a Wayne County team that could very well win their own region.
“I had questioned whether or not our boys would be able to one, come back from a deficit and two, match a team that played fast and aggressive,” Cawood continued. “It’s still early in the season and we have a lot of things to work but today was a good day and we just need to build on from today.”
Wayne County scored a goal 21 minutes into the contest before adding another goal 11 minutes later to take a 2-0 edge. Wayne County’s third goal took place a minute before halftime.
South Laurel came out in the second half a different team.
Henri Flaegel scored the first of his two goals six minutes into the second half to cut his team’s deficit to 3-1. He added another goal three minutes later to make the score, 3-2.
Ryan Martinez found the back of the net at the 53-minute mark to tie the game at three apiece before Collin McCready‘a goal off a corner kick gave South Laurel a 4-3 lead three minutes later.
Wayne County tied the game at four apiece by converting a penalty kick at the 62-minute mark.
A penalty kick by Liam Zik at the 69-minute mark allowed the Cardinals to reclaim a 5-4 edge.
Liam’s free kick from close to mid-field found the back of the net at the 75-minute mark, securing South Laurel’s 6-4 victory.
