Sampson and Union middle schools, two teams composed of indisputable talent and power, took their Sampson County Middle School Conference championship game into double overtime Monday. The Dark Horses pulled out the 2-1 win only 10 seconds short of penalty kicks.

“The boys did a good job, and they played hard. I thought the game was going to go into penalty kicks,” said Sampson head coach Jeff Smith, adding this to be the Dark Horses third championship in a row.

Despite the loss, Union gave it all they had Monday.

“When you have to wrap your season up with only 10 seconds left in the game, it is just hard to find words,” Spartan coach Derek Moore commented. “I know it sounds cliché, but I am genuinely proud of my boys; they stood toe-to-toe with Sampson tonight, and they played their hearts out. Win or lose, I couldn’t be more proud. I take my hat off to Sampson, but I can’t do that without saying what a good team we (Union) have and what a good season we had.”

As for the game, Sampson would come out strong in the first 30 minutes of play, but Union would shortly answer with a charge of their own.

After Sampson recovered the ball, they would remain in Spartan territory for the next few minutes of play, knocking off two consecutive shots.

The first shot, which was attempted by Jose Aguilar was blocked, but the second taken by Connor Bass was successful, bringing the Dark Horses up 1-0.

After gaining possession on and off throughout the remainder of the half, the Spartans would invade the Dark Horse defense, but the Sampson team was unbreakable.

Sampson would also attempt two more shots on the Union goal, but were unsuccessful in their endeavors, ending the half still leading 1-0.

Only trailing by a goal the Spartans were still very much in the ball game Monday.

“Take this offense; take it,” Moore would shout to his team from the sidelines.

Listening to their coach, the talented team would take charge and march the ball deep into Sampson’s territory, where they would remain for the next 6 minutes of play.

Sampson would get their chance at Union’s goal at the 38-minute mark and immediately following Union’s Isaias Campos would fly down field on a break away, but just as Sampson’s previous attempt, his would fail, too.

Both teams would continue to pressure each other’s goals, turning the defensive battle into an overtime contest.

As the first overtime began, Moore shouted again to his team, “This is your turn to shine.” And shine they would, taking two shots in the first seconds of play.

Sampson would take their first shot at just under 3 minutes.

After both attempts failed, the game moved to a double overtime.

During this 5 minutes, Union took double the shots, but were taken down with 11 seconds left to play after Sampson’s Aguilar kicked a canon ball from midfield and ended it 2-1.

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at (910) 592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@myclintonnc.com