HARDEEVILLE, S.C:

 

After a defeat against local rivals Warner, the Warriors now had to travel to South Carolina, where they would face the Bees of SCAD University.

 

The Bees started the stronger team, winning two corners within the first two minutes of the game. The corners were taken by Ally MacDonald, although the danger was cleared on both occasions.

 

Webber's first move came when Capuz found Kristensen on the right wing. Kristensen laid the ball off to Ayra, who quickly turned and attempted to cross it. The ball was blocked by Richard Langthorne, leaving the Warriors with a corner of their own. Bates whipped the ball in, which was headed clear and fell back to his feet. Bates attempted to curl the ball into the net, but was denied by Robbie Wright, who made a tremendous save.

 

SCAD were back on the attack in the 14th minute. Dan Fadida took a shot at goal, which didn't trouble Zwaans as it bounced wide of the target. Ellert Hreinsson also looked a particular threat in attack for the Bees. He created space for himself in the 18th minute of play, and struck the ball with great power, despite the shot lacking accuracy. Hreinsson was once again involved in the action, this time as a free kick came in from Pato Torello. Hreinsson headed the ball, but the angle was closed down by Lima, causing it to fly wide of the target. The Bees continued with the majority of possession, and would have broken the deadlock in the 34th minute if I wasn't for Zwaans. Torello took a shot from the edge of the eighteen yard box, which Zwaans got his fingertips to. As the ball continued rolling towards goal, the crowd were convinced it was heading for the back of the net, but after clipping the post, it rolled out of play.

 

The Warriors knew they had to hold on until the break, which would allow them to regroup. Hreinsson made sure it wasn't to be, putting the Bees in the lead just a minute before halftime. The move started with Langthorne, who sent a long ball three quarters of the way across the pitch, which was then headed on by Josiah Millar. Hreinsson did well to flick the ball over Lima, before calmly placing it into the bottom right hand corner.

 

Goal (SCAD) – 44th minute – Ellert Hreinsson – (SCAD 1 – 0 WIU)

 

Halftime – (SCAD 1 – 0 WIU)

 

Webber were determined to get back into the game, and desperately needed to if it meant making the regionals. An early second half corner came in from Acosta, which Capuz found on the volley. His shot didn't manage to make it through the army of SCAD defenders, much to the dismay of Coach Cockburn.

 

It then went from bad to worse for the Warriors when Hreinsson grabbed his second of the game, increasing the lead for the Bees. The goal came from a free kick, which was drilled along the ground and took a

deflection on the way in.  

 

Goal (SCAD) – 57th minute – Ellert Hreinsson – (SCAD 2 – 0 WIU)

 

SCAD became comfortable with their two goal lead, but it was only a minute later when the Warriors scored a goal of their own. Wright misplaced a goal kick for the Bees, which fell to the feet of Martes. Whilst Wright was off his line, Martes perfectly executed a chip from over thirty yards out, putting the Warriors back in a promising position.

 

Goal (WIU) – 58th minute – Manuel Martes – (SCAD 2 – 1 WIU)

 

Minute's later controversy came about following a Joseph Johnson header. Bates sent the ball in from a corner, which Johnson headed on goal. It looked as if the ball had clearly crossed the line, but the referee didn't agree, leaving the score at 2-1.

 

The Bees managed to seal the victory in the 82nd minute, increasing their lead to 3-1. It was Hreinsson who gained his hat-trick with another powerful shot, which took an unfortunate deflection off Turhan before hitting the net.

 

Goal (SCAD) – 82nd minute – Ellert Hreinsson – (SCAD 3 – 1 WIU)

 

Fulltime – (SCAD 3 – 1 WIU)

 

Coach Cockburn said, “Unfortunately we won't be heading to the regionals. I would like Bates, Harding, Wagner, and Zwaans, to end their reigns with three strong victories, and take great memories home with them. I feel their pain, but if anything it's a learning curve, and for the players returning next year, it will only make them stronger. The team has worked well this year considering the diversity, but there are always improvements to be made, which we are continuously working on every day.”