Sanderson boys soccer
JP Rafferty (left), who scored one of Spartans' goals in a 3-2 win over Millbrook Monday, races down field along side the Wildcats' Bradley Newman (right).
Ejlali, Spartans outlast Wildcats
Wild game ends with three goals in final eight minutes Monday
When Sanderson senior JP Rafferty hit the back of the net in the 73rd minute of Monday night's match-up with conference rival Millbrook, it felt like a game-winner.
The Spartans — who trailed most of the match — celebrated the score as such, mobbing each other in front of their bench. It was even capped by a Casey Francis and Rafferty celebratory routine, ending with two seniors sliding across the ground.
But the goal was just the kickoff of a torrid finish to Sanderson's 3-2 victory, which led both teams on a roller coaster of emotions.
That's because less than five minutes later — 77:37 into the match — Millbrook drew a penalty kick, and sophomore Alex Oloffson fired the shot past Sanderson keeper Matt Boyd to pull the teams even.
Check out Sanderson's three goals from Monday's win.
"Everyone's head dropped after that penalty," explained Sanderson sophomore Dylan Ejlali.
Added Rafferty, "We thought we had the game, and then they get their PK, and your heart just sinks."
Sanderson coach Todd Worley said it was a case of the Spartans losing their aggressiveness after Rafferty's goal, which worked to the Wildcats' advantage.
"Our attitudes went defensive, even though we shouldn't be defensive," the coach reasoned. "And that actually helped Millbrook because we were no longer attacking them."
Though overtime seemed inevitable, the Spartans picked up their intensity in the closing minute, moving the ball in front of Millbrook's net and keeper Spencer LaCivita.
As the ball ricocheted around a scrum to the left of the goal, the ball fortuitously made its way to Ejlali, standing open in front of the net. The sophomore put just enough on his kick to sneak it past a diving LaCivita with 27 seconds remaining.
He just happened to be at the right place, right time, Ejlali explained.
"The ball just popped out to me, and I just pushed it in," he said afterward, still jittery from the moment. "I didn't even really see it go in because I hit it, and turned right around and started screaming."
And again the Spartans mobbed one another, tacking Ejlali on the sidelines.
Following the game, both Rafferty and Ejlali explained the match — featuring two of the Cap-7's top teams — had added importance because the Wildcats defeated the Spartans three times last season.
"I was excited about this game the whole day, and I know everybody was," Ejlali said. "We knew we lost to them last year, and it was a good feeling to finally win."
Although Sanderson was fired up entering the match, it was Millbrook however which came out and set the tone early.
Sanderson's Glenn Scott attempts a bicycle kick in Monday's win over Millbrook.
Less than six minutes into the contest, senior Connor Karr hit a beautiful header for a score, putting the Wildcats up 1-0. "It was just a really nice goal," Worley said later.
While Millbrook and Sanderson both put together score opportunities — Spartans received three consecutive corner kicks at one point — neither team reached the net the remainder of the opening half.
And even though Sanderson faced a deficit, Worley wasn't concerned — satisfied with the Spartans' first 40 minutes of play.
"I felt comfortable in the first half because I thought we played well," he said. "We were a little bit impatient, and we straighten that up in the second half."
Rafferty admitted, however, the Spartans were desperate to get on the scoreboard.
"We were frustrated in the first half because we were getting our looks, we just weren't putting them away," he said. "So at halftime we talked about finishing our chances and going at them hard. We knew that if we didn't score, it would get harder as the game went on."
Nine minutes into the final half, Rafferty and the Spartans got the opportunity they wanted as the senior striker drew a foul, setting up a Sanderson penalty-kick attempt.
Teammate Glenn Scott calmly converted the kick, booting the ball in the upper right hand corner.
For the next 22 minutes the conference foes played deadlocked at 1-1, until Rafferty's goal with seven minutes remaining commenced the contest's wild finish.
"I thought it was a nice game and both teams played pretty well," Worley said. "It was just one of those exciting games. And for us to put three on Spencer — who is very good goalie — we had to work hard."
The coach lauded Ejlali for his clutch kick, explaining "he is getting better and better everyday."
Rafferty said the sophomore's goal was just another solid play from the Spartans' underclassmen.
"They have been coming up big for us, and it is great for Dylan to score that goal," the senior said. "It was a good win, but now we have to look forward to Leesville (Sept. 16)."
Worley agreed that Sanderson (9-0-1) must now refocus for its upcoming meeting with the Pride.
"There are so many good teams in our conference, and I know all coaches say this, but in this conference, you have to go game by game," the coach said. "Wakefield's 0-2 coming into tonight, and they should have a chance to contend for the conference. And I was really impressed with Millbrook and their grit. And now we have to prepare for Leesville."
Following its match with Leesville, Sanderson hosts WF-R Monday, Sept. 21.
Millbrook (6-3-0) visits Northern Durham Wednesday, Sept. 16, and hosts Leesville Monday, Sept. 21.
