|
Ibrahim Mohamud calmly scores from the penalty spot. |
In a match marred by numerous inexplicable yellow cards, two red cards, and a seemingly endless second half, the Broughton soccer team topped Wilmington Hoggard 1-0 in a third round match of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs. With the win, the Caps earn a berth in the regional semi-finals against either top-seeded (and #4 nationally ranked) Apex or Wilmington Laney.
Broughton, which was the home team even though the match was on the turf of the WRAL Soccer Center, played its second match in a row without leading scorer Elvis Wiredu. Despite the lack of firepower, the Caps figured out a way to win behind a well-organized defense and tons of ball pressure, forcing Hoggard into numerous turnovers. In the 15th minute, senior Ibrahim Mohamud juked a defender in the box, resulting in a foul and a penalty kick. Mohamud calmly slotted the kick past the diving keeper to notch what would turn out to be the only goal of the match.
|
Students took advantage of the school holiday to root for the Caps. |
Both teams were frustrated by an officiating crew that could be viewed as being a bit sensitive, where yellow cards were handed out for simple fouls, or, in one instance, no foul at all. It was unfortunate for both teams that the match was called this way, as the officiating this season has been the best at the high school level in quite some time. The second half ran for over 51 minutes, even though the center referee only stopped the clock for 4 minutes -- thus, the half ran 7 minutes too long. (end of rant)
|
The Caps' season continues for at least one more match. |
Regardless, the Broughton defense hung tough, including two consecutive spectacular saves by keeper Clay Oxford at the end of the first half. The Caps had senior co-captain Bryant O'Neal play at striker most of the match, and his physicality created a lot of problems for the Hoggard defense. Junior defender Jacob Hill, who has missed much of the season due to health reasons, filled in admirably in the back line and played perhaps his best match of the season,
|
Clay Oxford came up big with two huge saves. Ibrahim Mohamud scored the game winner. |
The Caps improved their season record to 15-6-3. Broughton advances to the semi-finals of the East Region (aka, the "Elite Eight") and will likely play on Saturday. Broughton will be the visiting team, and the Caps hope to get the same level of fan support that came out to today's match.