photo by Greg Davick
The Baylor and CCS soccer teams met for the second time this season and for the second time, neither team would score in regulation. The first match ended 0-0 but Saturday there would have to be a winner as both teams were battling for a spot in the Division II-AA region semifinals next Tuesday. After two 10 minute periods of scoreless overtime soccer the game went to penalty kicks and the Chargers prevailed 6-5.
CCS advances to play at Knox Catholic on Tuesday in the region semifinals.
Game time is tentatively set for 6:30 p.m.
CCS head coach Tyler Robertson knew his team was ready for the challenge on Saturday.
“When we tied them in the regular season we were a bit disappointed,” Robertson said. “We came in with the mindset that we were going to come to play and get the result. We played with confidence and got finally got over that hump.”
The Red Raiders were coming off two tough games this week including a 4-1 loss to rival McCallie on Tuesday but rebounded for a key 2-0 win over Knox Webb on Thursday.
In Saturday’s game vs CCS, the Red Raiders suffered a red card late in the first half and played a man down the rest of the match. CCS keeper JT Tolson and Baylor’s Harlan Watson-Brown both stayed busy in the goal making several saves to earn a clean sheet.
With just 17 seconds left in the second half, Baylor was called for a penalty in the box setting up a potential game winning penalty kick for CCS. CCS junior Ethan Regis lined up to take the kick but it went high over the cross bar give Baylor new life going into overtime.
After two ten minutes of scoreless overtime play the game would be decided by penalty kicks. Baylor keeper Watson-Brown had one big save in the pks but Baylor would miss on their sixth shot, giving CCS the win.
One of the Charger’s penalty kicks was scored by Ethan Regis, redeeming his earlier miss.
“He hasn’t missed while at CCS, he was 6 for 6 this year,” Robertson said. “Emotions were high and he missed it but give him credit for gaining his composure when it mattered even with the crowd chanting your name”
Baylor ended their season 9-4-3.
“I was really proud of our guys.,” Baylor’s Curtis Blair said. “We ended up playing 45 minutes down a man and still created chances. The players gave everything they had and as a coach that's all you can ask for. I know our guys are hurting, but they have nothing to be disappointed in. I gave them the hardest schedule that I have ever made, and we only lost to one team from TN. I wish CCS the best of luck as they go forward.”