John Bruce, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
SOUTH WEBSTER – In a massive matchup between two undefeated Southern Ohio Conference foes on Thursday evening, 80 minutes wasn’t enough to decide a winner.
After each team scored within 10 seconds of the other in the first half, both defenses locked in and made it seemingly impossible for either to score again.
It led to a 1-1 draw between two of the top teams in all of Southern Ohio.
South Webster (7-0-1, 4-0-1 SOC II) jumped out early on Wheelersburg, putting consistent pressure on the Pirates’ defense with a heavy attack from Hunter Barnard, Carson Corriell and Brycin McClintic.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Within two minutes of the opening kickoff, Barnard sent a low laser that hit off the post, shortly before Wheelersburg’s Breyden Byrd made an outstanding save in a one-on-one situation to keep the game scoreless just a few moments later.
The pressure from the Jeeps ultimately paid off when Barnard got beyond the defense and was able to find the netting to put South Webster in front with 30:51 to play in the opening half.
The Jeeps and their fans were jubilant as their quick attack paid off almost immediately. Although, it would not last as the inevitable Nick Sylvia quickly quieted the crowd.
On the ensuing kickoff, Sylvia sent a high, arching kick towards the Jeeps’ goal, where the ball clanged off of the crossbar. It then deflected off South Webster’s keeper and found the back of the net with 30:45 left in the half to even the game.
The low percentage shot seemed to take the wind out of the Jeeps’ sails.
“[SW’s goal] was perfectly placed and Hunter was able to put it to the back of the net,” South Webster coach Corey Claxon said. “Their goal immediately followed on the kickoff and it’s something that has never happened to us before. It caught us all off guard as they took one touch and then took the long shot. It hit the crossbar, hit Sam and went into the goal. It was tough to stay composed after that and honestly that affected us for the rest of the half it seemed.”
With the teams even and now settled into the action, it would require both defenses to raise their level of play to maintain the tie for their squads.
With Sylvia being one of the top goal scorers in the history of boys soccer in Ohio, he would be an obvious threat that South Webster’s backline needed to address. But Evan Mitchell and Carson Estep continuously pushed the envelope as well for the Pirates (5-0-2, 4-0-1 SOC II).
PHOTOS: Images from South Webster vs. Wheelersburg
“We competed,” Wheelersburg coach Jon Estep said. “We’re fighting through some bumps and bruises right now. So we competed. The biggest thing we talked about going into this was how it was going to be a physical game. We had to be able to handle the physicality. We had some guys out there that hadn’t played in this magnitude just yet.”
From the inside out, Cole Bennett, Caden Johnson, Brayden Barnard and Jared Phelps were up to the task for the Jeeps, not allowing easy looks for the Pirates for the remainder of the first half.
With the teams going into the break at 1-1, whichever team came out with a high level of play to start the second half would likely have the advantage down the stretch.
The Pirates came flying out of the half with high energy and efficient passing, leading to a great look in the opening five minutes. However, South Webster’s Sam Murphy wouldn’t be beat as the senior smothered a rocket in a one-on-one situation to keep the game even.
That would be the last quality chance for the Pirates in the run of play.
“In the second half, I felt like we had a little more possession and a few more really good scoring opportunities,” Claxon said. “But we weren’t able to get the go-ahead goal for the win. Our defense did a really good job tonight and they came up big a few times, along with Sam. The guys gave it their all. There are certainly some good takeaways from this game.”
Even with McClintic leaving early in the second half for the Jeeps, the Jeeps were able to push forward to attempt to take back the lead. Barnard looked to get free on a couple of occasions, but the swarming defense of Clark Weller, Kayson Whitt, Andrew Tabor, and Sean Bays eliminated each look.
As time ran low, the field opened as both teams looked for the game-winning goal, leading to a decent look for Barnard. But a late defensive challenge helped the always outstanding Byrd collect the rocket to maintain the draw.
On the opposite end, Mitchell smoked a high, right-footed shot from outside the box, but Murphy parried the ball high of the bar.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
“We were kind of disappointed with the tie tonight because we felt like we certainly could have won the game,” Claxon said. “But I guess the end result wasn’t the worst result, either. It was a good, competitive game that pushed both teams, in terms of play and fitness, and that is something we hadn’t had yet.”
Although both teams remain unbeaten, they’ll still have to navigate through a tough SOC schedule before the rematch on Oct. 7 at Wheelersburg’s Ed Miller Stadium.
But, if they are both able to, it will likely setup a matchup of the ages for the SOC crown.
“We’re right there. I know [South Webster] expects to [be unbeaten on Oct. 7] and we expect to,” Estep said. “We go on the road to Minford next week and they gave us a battle at our place for 75 minutes. So we know we’re going to get everybody’s best shot. We’ve won this thing the last three years. So someone will be ready to knock us off. So we have to be sharp.”
Stat Book
Shots: Wheelersburg 12, South Webster 10
Saves: Wheelersburg 4 (Byrd 4), South Webster 4 (Murphy 4)
Corners Won: Wheelersburg 2, South Webster 4
Fouls: Wheelersburg 7, South Webster 10
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