The Long County Blue Tide soccer teams hosted Wayne County on Thursday, February 16 in what was one of the most anticipated games for a long time by both Blue Tide and Yellow Jacket faithful. Neither game disappointed as the Lady Tide fell 1-0 in a defensive battle, while the boys went to a 3-3 draw.
The Lady Tide entered Thursday’s game not only 4-0 on the season, but they also had not allowed a goal all season. That changed in the 19th minute of the first half.
The Jackets pushed on a breakaway and junior goalkeeper Leora Hyde made a great diving play at the ball. However, the shot bounced off her hands and rolled into the net to give Wayne County the 1-0 lead.
The 1-0 lead held for the rest of the game, despite the Jackets outshooting the Tide 16-2 in the first half. Hyde was strong in goal, recording nine saves and knocking away a penalty kick in the 27th minute.
In the second half, the Tide had a shot on the goal as Yuridia Sellars pushed into the box. Her 55th minute shot just missed to the right.
With the loss, the Lady Tide are now 4-1 on the season.
The boys entered their game against the Yellow Jackets down a few key players and hoped to avoid any more injuries against a talented Wayne County team. Not only did they do that, they played the Jackets tough from the start.
Wayne County, however, struck first on a quick advance in the 20th minute to go up 1-0. However, they did not hold the lead long as sophomore Chris Contreras scored a minute later to tie the game.
Contreras found the net for the second time of the game as he nailed the goal from the far sideline off a free kick to tie the game 2-2 in the 53rd minute.
Four minutes later, the Tide took their first and only lead of the game as senior Victor Rapalo blasted a shot from midfield to take the 3-2 lead.
The Jackets nearly tied the game in the 64th minute, but an impressive leaping save by Kamdyn Gramsch-Milliken preserved the lead.
However, the Jackets did finally tie the game with less than two minutes left on the clock off a deflection at the goal. The horn sounded as the score was tied 3-3 and the teams shook hands.