On Wednesday evening, the Union Spartans hosted the Pender Patriots in their second to last home game of the season. The Spartans managed to come out with the win 4-3, after going into overtime.

The first half Union fell behind the Patriots at the 24:25 mark 0-1. The Spartans didn’t let that hold them from the net for long. Union pushed their way down the field until Arcenio Najera scored a goal off an assist from Esteban Subias Cruz at 9:19. The Spartans followed up quickly at the 8:24 mark, allowing Marco Baltazar to score another goal for the Spartans. Even after falling behind, Union managed to come out with the lead at the end of the first half, 2-1.

The Pender Patriots came rushing out after halftime and found the net immediately to even the score. Many close shots were made, only to be blocked by the goalies on each team. That was until Michael Pineda set up Irvin Ocampo for another Union score. As the second half was drawing to an end, it seemed as the Spartans were going to take the win again. However, Pender managed to get down the field quickly and score a goal to even the score again at the 5:56 mark. The second half ended with a tie by a score of 3-3.

The first ten minutes of overtime was intense and both teams had strong play. Neither team would let the other have a shot at the goal causing the score to stay at 3-3. In the second ten minute time period of overtime it looked as if the score would remained tied. Arcenio Najera found paydirt with only 2:50 left in the game and scored the last goal from an assist by Irvin Ocampo giving the Spartans the win. 4-3.

“I thought Pender looked good tonight, they have definitely improved since our last match,” stated head coach, David Ameen about the opposing team. Ameen also realized that his team will need some work to be ready for playoffs. “Before next week and by the playoffs we’ve got tot get our groove back, so to speak. We need to play like we did at the beginning of the season to be successful in the upcoming playoffs.”

The Spartans will travel to East Bladen to play their last away game of the regular season on Monday. They will also finish the game against East Bladen that was suspended because of inclement weather before they start the second full game against East Bladen.

By Anna Moore

Sports Writer

Tobias Rodriguez keeps a Patriot attacker from taking the ball.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_DSC_0591.jpgTobias Rodriguez keeps a Patriot attacker from taking the ball.

Arcenio Najera outruns the Patriot defenses.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_DSC_0627.jpgArcenio Najera outruns the Patriot defenses.