Millbrook boys soccer
Millbrook's Austin Dietz (center) battles Wakefield's Ryan Metts for a ball during the first half of Wednesday's Cap-7 Conference showdown. Dietz provided the contest's late-game heroics, scoring with less than eight minutes remaining, giving the Wildcats a 2-1 victory.
Dietz's goal lifts Wildcats over Wolverines
For whichever team lost Wednesday's match-up between Millbrook and Wakefield, it was going to be a crushing blow, dropping the respective squad to 0-2 in Cap-7 Conference play.
But the Wildcats' 2-1 victory — clinched on senior Austin Dietz's late goal — was even more deflating than expected for the Wolverines.
That's because early on it appeared Wakefield would be delivering the heartbreak, not receiving it.
Before the match was even 20 seconds old, Wakefield junior Davis Edwards broke free and netted a goal past Millbrook's keeper Spencer LaCivita. The quick strike left Millbrook undoubtedly stunned, and with Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Broughton still fresh, the outcome seemed bleak.
"It was a terrible start," conceded Millbrook head coach Matt Edwards. "We were really flat. But [Edwards] hit a great shot, too. I don't want to take anything away from him."
After the goal, Wakefield continued to press the Wildcats, creating a handful of opportunities, but not converting.
"I really thought we had a great chance for a second goal, maybe even go up 3-0 in the first 10 minutes," lamented Wakefield coach Scott Sloan.
The Wolverines' inability to put the game out of reach early proved costly late.
Down, but not out, the Wildcats fought to get back in contention as Connor Karr narrowly missed a score six minutes in. Five minutes later, sophomore Alex Oloffson hit the top of the goal as well. And Millbrook's John Kennamer came even closer, booting a kick off the right post in the 20th minute.
With less than eight minutes remaining before intermission, senior Brad Newman finally drew the game even, battling for a loose ball in front of the net, and drilling a ball past Wakefield keeper T.J. Scharville.
"We have been getting a ton out of him this season," Edwards said of Newman, formerly a Wildcat keeper, now playing right defender. "It was a broken play. And he showed a lot of heart on that one."
(Newman also made two crucial saves in the game, sliding to stop Wakefield's Ryan Metts in the first half, and sacrificing his body in the closing minutes to stop a Wolverine push.)
Missed Brad Newman's first-half goal in Millbrook's 2-1 win Wednesday? Here's your chance to see it, as well as a few outstanding defensive plays from the Wildcats' match with Wakefield.
The Millbrook coach explained the score took a weight off the squad's shoulders.
"That goal was huge," he said. "I think our guys knew we were getting some chances. And when we scored, it sort of fixed our early mistake."
Although the contest entered halftime deadlocked at 1-1, momentum clearly favored Millbrook.
In the second half, neither team mounted a successful push, but the Wildcats seemed to create the more promising opportunities. However, the teams were still tied entering the final 10 minutes of regulation, and Sloan admitted he was starting to contemplate overtime.
Two minutes later, however, Millbrook caught a break.
During the 73rd minute, after an apparent miscommunication in the Wakefield defense, Millbrook's Dietz broke free going one-on-one with Scharville. The keeper appeared to lose his footing, and the Wildcat forward raced past him, knocking in a point-blank goal.
"That is exactly what we hope for — to have our top attacker in that position," Edwards said.
The Millbrook coach explained the goal spoiled an otherwise outstanding performance from Scharville. "He had been playing his butt off, saving everything," he added.
Afterward, Sloan still couldn't precisely pinpoint why the Wolverines' play broke down during the late-game score.
"I still don't know what happened there," he shrugged. "That play will stay with me for a long time."
Millbrook's Chauncey Cleveland (7) races to gain possession as Wakefield's Vince Cervantez (18) gives pursuit during Wednesday's game.
Coincidently, following the game both Edwards and Sloan talked about how their respective clubs were presented with a test of character. While the Wildcats' challenge came during the game — facing an 1-0 deficit — the Wolverines must now regroup for their next contest following their second consecutive loss.
Scott admitted the defeat was more than disheartening, especially considering his squad's early success Wednesday. "Is there not a worse way to lose?" he asked rhetorically.
While both squads entered the week ranked in the Top 10 in the state, Wakefield — which lost to Sanderson Tuesday — now falls into last place in conference. It's a cruel fact considering prior to this week the Wolverines were unbeaten.
Edwards explained the Wolverines have the talent to make a charge, and are still a team to be reckoned with.
"I hate the situation they are in because they played two of the top teams, and they get nothing for it," the coach said. "They just need to keep their heads up because they have the talent. They're a good team. And we know when we see them again, it is going to be an even tougher match."
Although Wakefield has a non-conference contest with Chapel Hill Friday, Sloan acknowledged he'd rather focus on Monday's match versus Leesville Road.
But the coach said he'd use the game to reevaluate his roster, and hopefully, the 6-2-1 Wolverines can right themselves, and get back on track.
"The boys got used to winning, and they are having a really difficult time with this," he said of the 0-2 conference start. "We had hoped to at least split these two games this week. But we have done this to ourselves. Our goal is simple now: to get into the state playoffs. To start winning again."
Millbrook (6-2) hits the road next week, traveling to Sanderson Monday, Sept. 14, and Northern Durham Wednesday, Sept. 16.
After traveling to Chapel Hill Friday, Wakefield hosts Leesville Road Monday, Sept. 14, and visits WF-R two days later.
