Smith River Soccer Park : The scoreboard read Bassett High 4, Carroll County High 2 at the end of the 80 minutes in the Regional opener for both teams. The story must start with the fact that the Cavaliers gave Head Coach Forrest Johnson everything they had until the clock struck 0:00.
The speed of the match was enhanced by the artificial turf and Carroll County (9-7-2) relied on their finesse against a bigger and stronger Bengals squad and when Daniel Torres Lopez found the back of the net early in the second half to tie the match 1-1, there was energy in the air.
The Cavalier defense tightened up after a tough start that allowed Bassett to net a goal before the first minute had ticked off the clock. Christian Hernandez kept the deficit at 1-0 by making a pair of point blank saves at just under 30:00 remaining. This allowed Carroll County to head into the break with the game still within reach.
DTL followed up his own shot at 37:30 remaining in the match, allowing the Cavaliers to complete a long uphill climb to tie the match at 1-1. The energy level picked up immediately for both squads. Sadly, it was only 0:48 later when Bassett reclaimed the lead.
The following 5:11 of match play will haunt Carroll County for the off season as Bassett found the back of the net three times, with the final one taking place at 31:31 remaining.
What happened over the remaining 31 plus minutes defied logic. A Senior heavy squad was suddenly down 4-1 on the road against a more physical team in a win or go home match.
Hernandez, Harper Parnell, Julian Magana, Samuel Collins, Mazen Mansour, Landon Puckett, Giovanni Lopez, Thomas Payne, Oliver Lopez and Torres – Lopez went at it with everything that they had as their High School playing careers were coming to and end.
Just under 24:00 remained when Judah Collins had a bang – bang play in front of the net and two minutes later, Oliver Lopez sent a deep shot just over the bar.
At 16:49, Magana took a pass off a corner kick and fired a great shot on goal that was turned away. Hernandez stonewalled another big shot at 15:22, keeping the dream of a comeback intact.
Magana finally found the back of the net at 6:59 after collecting a pushed ball from Lopez. Now the lead was down to 4-2 and the Cavaliers kept charging. Oliver Lopez fired from point blank range at 2:55 but once again Bassett came up with a great save. Oliver Lopez would generate another great look in the final two minutes.
Bassett High won the match and now advances to the quarterfinal round but the Bengals knew they were in a match.
Carroll County …. 0. 2 – 2
Bassett High …. 1. 3 – 4
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From the Coaches :
Assistant Coach and Head Junior Varsity Coach, Jeremy Puckett reflected on the state of the Union for the program.
” Over the last four years Carroll county soccer has seen some of the best talent to ever come through this school. Alot of these guys that played tonight are the reason.
Most of the players leaving have been part of this program for the last 3 or 4 years. In my mind it’s hard to imagine a game without them in it. Regardless of the result tonight, there should be zero doubt that they loved playing together and spending time with each other and trying to make this program special.”
From Forrest Johnson :
” This years team was another special one. We have had many special teams over the last 4+ years. Like Coach Puckett has said, it will be tough to think of this team without the ones who have graduated these last few seasons.
But if this season has taught this program anything, it’s that no matter what happens, we find a way to perform at a high level and we are never out of the fight. We are so thankful for our seniors, and we look forward to next seasons challenges already!
This team/program has always proved the doubters wrong. We did it this season, and we will be back to do it again!”
Carroll County High School 🏫 is going places !
A.S.P.N on The Hill 