By Paul Howe
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
The rematch between Sunapee and Epping in boys soccer lived up the expectation of a great match on the pitch at Sunapee Middle High School’s Alexander Field on Friday night.
Both teams came into the game with only one loss.
Epping was looking to avenge its early in the season loss to Sunapee while Sunapee with a win would take the top spot in the Division IV standings.
After honoring the Sunapee seniors at their last regular season home game the two talented teams began play. The early going for Sunapee did not look good. Epping controlled play with their crisp passing and Sunapee found themselves defending their goal for the first five minutes of the game. Epping tried to score and was awarded two corner kicks but could not put the ball into the back of the net.
The Lakers settled down and began quick counter attracts bringing the ball into Blue Devils territory and taking a shot by Eric Nangironi that sailed over the crossbar. Play was even through the rest of the first have with Sunapee goalie Jake Galloway making a spectacular leaping save punching the soccer ball over the net to keep the score 0-0 as the first half came to an end.
Early in the second half, both teams had a chance to go up one notching Sunapee fired off a shot that the Epping goalie Will Barker after saving bounced out of his hands and rolled across the most of the goal but Sunapee could not get to the ball in time and was kick away by an Epping player. Epping brought the ball down to the Sunapee goal a minute later and kicked a hard shot that hit the goal post and the game remained tied.
Epping kept possession a good part of the rest of the half having numerous to score including a direct kick and corner but the Sunapee defense held and was able to move the soccer ball back towards the Epping goal and Sunapee took a few more shots on goal. Sunapee was given a direct kick in the closing seconds of the second half but time ran out with the game tied 0-0.
The first overtime saw the Lakers put a lot of pressure on the Epping defense Taking two shots the just went wide of the net.The first 10 minute overtime ended with the score still tied.
After Epping made a quick run at the Sunapee goal to start this cold overtime Sunapee quickly brought the ball back in front of the Epping goal. Sunapee’s Hunter Morse picked up the ball and with a lightning quick strike the ball hit the back of the net for a 1-0 Sunapee win in the midst of sudden death seconds in overtime.
“I will remember this for the rest of my life,” Hunter said.
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