Boys Soccer: WCDS Falls In NCISAA 2A Semifinals (PHOTO GALLERY)

Boys Soccer: WCDS Falls In NCISAA 2A Semifinals (PHOTO GALLERY)

What a game.

It took more than 110 minutes for a winner to emerge in Wayne Country Day’s N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A semifinals matchup against Trinity Academy of Raleigh.

Unfortunately, the ball did not bounce the Chargers’ way, and Trinity Academy escaped with a 7-6 victory in a penalty-kick shootout to advance to the state championship game.

Wayne Country Day ends its fantastic season with a 19-3 overall record. The Chargers also won the Coastal Plains Independent Conference title and reached the semifinals for the seventh straight season.

“Trinity Academy was very organized. Defensively, they were strong,” Wayne Country Day head coach Steve Ellis said. “I think, on the whole, we had better chances to score, but that’s football.”

In an incredibly well-played game, the teams ended regulation tied 0-0.

One minute into the first overtime period, the Tigers scored to put the Chargers in a hole 1-0

But the Chargers found the answer in the second overtime period. Anthony Valentine was fouled inside the box to give the Chargers a penalty kick.

Michael Geer then converted the penalty kick to tie the game.

“That’s fair play to the boys. They are resilient,” Ellis said. “Every season, we don’t give up until the very end, and having that extra time to get back in, we knew we’d get at least one chance,” Ellis said. “It happened to be a PK, Michael was composed, and he placed it in the net.”

The score remained 1-1 after two five-minute “golden goal” periods, so the game went into a penalty-kick shootout.

“There was a couple of chances in overtime before the golden goal, but it was a bounce the wrong way or a deflection the wrong way,” Ellis said.

Both teams made their first five attempts in the shootout. Tied at 5-5, both teams then missed their next two attempts.

Jack Cole connected on his attempt to give Wayne Country Day a 6-5 lead, but the Tigers responded to tie things up at 6-6.

Wayne Country then missed, which gave Trinity Academy a chance to get the win. The Tigers took advantage and converted to end the Chargers’ season.

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