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In a game of chance, those who cannot convert never win.On Wednesday night, for a while, boys’ soccer at the Mississippi School of Math and Science was put on the ropes.
In the second-round MHSAA Class I playoff game against Pisgah, the Blue Wave struggled not only to create chances but also to close them.
The muddy conditions caused by the storm system that hit Columbus Tuesday night didn’t make things any easier, but the Dragons still had to get through the slop.
As the second half began, the only difference in the game was the lone goal scored by Pisgah striker Asa Hurst’s superb solo run, but more chances came from MSMS in the last 40 minutes of play, with more chances to come. Some were destined to go.
MSMS Head Coach Joseph Bernard said: “That was our goal.”
There were few chances in the middle of the field as the Dragons played a tough back four that stood their ground.
The actual shots generated by the waves slid across the goal or entered the box with little effort as the players were unable to gain footing and were consequently unbalanced from the start.
“Unfortunately, there weren’t many great options to play in,” said junior Sebastian Harvey. “I think I could have won this game more, but Plant’s foot was slipping and it really hurt his shots.
“It really hurts your game, but other teams had the same problem, so you can’t use that as an excuse.”
The challenge of field conditions made things more interesting for both sides, as finesse and quick passing were needed to make the ultimate difference in the closing stages.
In Hurst’s goal, a through-ball found him in midfield and gave him full control down to the shot on goal. MSMS needed to find the same source of success.
That success is thanks to the efforts of players like senior Sawyer Levenson, who has two assists in the game.
When the forward and attacking midfielder made runs, Levenson did his best to find them in the box. Sure enough, he found Harvey as the game winner with Osman Kader tying the game from a ground cross and a float cross to the back post around the 70th minute.
“All this season, I’ve been working on the back post run,” Harvey said. “That’s where you often get the best chances and open goals. Me and Sawyer know that when he throws in the cross, I’m always in the back post.” The keeper didn’t get it right, so I sneaked around him and went home.”
Some stellar defense in the final minutes of play secured the biggest win in program history, with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory sending the Blue Wave to the quarterfinals of the MHSAA Class I playoffs for the first time.
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