(This originally appeared on easleyathletics.com)
Updated: March 2, 2023
Author: Grant Ballard
A needless foul 20 yards out gave Seneca a dangerous free kick and it was finished with pinpoint accuracy to give the home team the lead completely against the run of play. The dominance from Easley would continue immediately but it was all chips and no fish for the rest of the half as Seneca held on to their 1-0 lead at the intermission.
The boys regrouped and came out ready to play in the second half with all the work in front of them but would be met by a truly spectacular goalkeeping display from Seneca. We peppered the goal from all angles but he stood on his head for 40 minutes and it was going to take something special to beat him and that was what arrived.
The ball fell to Jake Cerecedo 22 yards from goal and he unleashed an absolute laser into the top corner that brought the Green Wave level and pushing for the victory. We thought our moment had arrived just 3 minutes later when Cerecedo was fouled in the box and stepped up to take the PK but the keeper made a great save to his right and then pressured Cerecedo into putting his follow up effort over the bar. From then on Seneca forced their way back into the match but still needed their keeper to make two fine saves from Ethan Alexander to keep the scores level.
The winner would come with just 6 minutes remaining when Jean Rodel unlocked the Seneca backline with a slide rule pass that put Ethan in behind and this time he was just too sharp for the oncoming keeper and tucked it away nicely.
It was another beautiful night but the very heavy and uneven pitch made it difficult for everyone out there but the win was deserved and the Green Wave left Seneca with two wins after the JV completed a 2-0 come from behind victory on PKs with 3 saves from the man mountain Kolas Mullins.