North Cross soccer head coach James Brown was looking for the comfort goal Monday afternoon at Thomas Field.
The Raiders were holding a 2-0 halftime lead, but this was a state quarterfinal matchup against Trinity-Meadowbrook and Brown was still on edge.
“They always say a two-goal lead is the worst in soccer,” Brown noted after the match. “They get one (goal) and it gives them life. I told my kids at halftime we need to come out and get the third one, and get it quickly.”
Brown was able to exhale ten minutes into the second half when senior Fortune Sibanda netted that third tally and North Cross put it on cruise control for the 4-1 win. North Cross advances to the semifinal round to face Covenant on Thursday at Ukrop Park in Richmond. The winner advances to Friday’s final at 5:30 p.m. at Ukrop.
The Raiders took the 2-0 lead into the halftime break on a pair of goals by Kennedy Nwabia after North Cross had dominated the early action.
“We wanted to use our speed to our advantage and dictate the action right off the bat,” Brown pointed out. “We kept pushing it and getting loose balls. Plus, we were denying them the ball. We took Fortune and stepped him up in front to score some goals. It worked out.”
Trinity picked up its lone goal with 6 minutes remaining on a penalty kick, but Raider Christopher Pollock scored a minute later to put any doubts to rest. With the incessant pressure, North Cross keeper Bennett Holley had a quiet afternoon in goal, facing only six Trinity shots.
– Bill Turner
