In a hard-fought match by both teams in the middle school soccer championship, the Sampson Dark Horses captured the championship after a 1-1 tie in regulation and 2 five minute overtimes. The teams finally had to resort to penalty kicks to decide the match. Once there, Sampson outscored Midway 3-1 on penalty kicks to secure the championship.

Midway got the first goal in the first half when they slipped the ball by Sampson’s keeper. Defense was then the name of the game as the halftime score was 1-0, in favor of the Raiders.

At the 9:36 mark of the second half, the Dark Horses scored on a penalty kick to tie the score at 1-1. Neither team was able to get the ball past the other’s goalie for the rest of the match. Not even two overtime periods could break the tie and the game was forced into PKs. There, Sampson took the 3-1 victory and began to celebrate.

Sampson coach Tim Sumner reflected on the season as well as their game, commenting, “We started the season off strong but lost two of the last three regular season games to Hobbton (1-0) and Midway (2-1) in the last minute. Both of them were really good teams and were well coached. We had a few bad breaks and made some mistakes in those games and we had a lot of players frustrated and disappointed. As coaches you never want doubt or players not believing in the team to start creeping in.”

“After the loss to Midway, we set a goal as a team to win the tournament championship by winning our last three games including avenging our two losses during the regular season. After beating Union for the final regular season game, we faced Hobbton in the semi-finals and beat them 3-0. The boys were back to believing that we could beat any team if we play the game the way we knew we could,” he continued.

“We were to meet Midway for the finals at Hobbton. I personally know several Midway players and know they have great talent and we had our work cut out for us. The boys were ready and anxious. It was a very windy day and the first half we were playing against the wind. We were hoping to get to halftime at least tied so we could have the wind advantage for the second half. We ended up giving up a goal at about the 25-minute mark from a great play by Midway.”

“I could tell the boys were frustrated and disappointed being down 1-0 at half. I told them that we were going to win the game but they have to believe and they did. We came out strong and got several shots on goal but couldn’t put it in the net. We ended up getting fouled in the box with about 15 minutes left. Walker Spell stepped up and made the PK to tie it up at one apiece and the game went to overtime.”

“We had 2 five-minute periods still tied. The referees told us that we were going to five PKs per team for the shootout. We decided to pick Walker Spell, LJ Gutierrez, Jonathan Ramirez, Luis Euraque and Marco Andre Beteta to take the kicks. Camden Davis has done a great job for us in the goal this year but the coaches decided that JJ Bagget had more experience in these situations so we gave him the opportunity to make the stops.”

“What better way to end a Championship against a great team like Midway than to come down to a shoot out? We ended up getting three great saves by JJ and three great shots by Walker, Jonathan and Luis to win the game. After JJ made the last save the team rushed the field and it was an awesome moment for the boys. I wish no one had to lose that game and hats off to Midway for being such a classy program.”

“I did want to thank the other coaches, Glenn Best and my wife Alicia Sumner, for all the hard work this season. We also had wonderful support from all of the parents. I love all of these boys and so proud of them for working hard, never giving up and accomplishing the goal that we set.”

Jose Flores-Flores (16) and Marcoandre Beteta go after the ball midfield.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Flores.jpgJose Flores-Flores (16) and Marcoandre Beteta go after the ball midfield.

Midway’s keeper make a save as Sampson’s Holden Spell falls underneath.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Keeper.jpgMidway’s keeper make a save as Sampson’s Holden Spell falls underneath.

Midway Middle, in no particular order: Edgar Baeza, Daylan Barefoot, Gabe Dapuyen, Jaden Espino, Jose Flores-Flores, Abraham Florido, Edwin Gaspar-Martinez, Angel Godinez, Keller Godwin, Landon Hammond, Everett Jackson, Nicholas Jackson, Luke McCray, Heinze Mondragon, Daniel Mosqueda, Logan Neal and Isaiah Oates, Alex Parker, Victor Rangel, Luis Resendiz-Garcia, Jonathan Stephenson, Juan Villa, Gavin Warren, Nash Warren and Ryan Bard. Coaches are Ryan Bard and Thomas Taylor.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Midway.jpgMidway Middle, in no particular order: Edgar Baeza, Daylan Barefoot, Gabe Dapuyen, Jaden Espino, Jose Flores-Flores, Abraham Florido, Edwin Gaspar-Martinez, Angel Godinez, Keller Godwin, Landon Hammond, Everett Jackson, Nicholas Jackson, Luke McCray, Heinze Mondragon, Daniel Mosqueda, Logan Neal and Isaiah Oates, Alex Parker, Victor Rangel, Luis Resendiz-Garcia, Jonathan Stephenson, Juan Villa, Gavin Warren, Nash Warren and Ryan Bard. Coaches are Ryan Bard and Thomas Taylor.

Sampson Middle, in no particular order: Zach Pope, Cullen Warren, Holden Spell, Ethan Matthis, Brennon Bell, Luis Euraque, Will Johnson, Malachi Rosa, Josue Miguel, and Ryan Freeman. Ayden Lamb, Griffin Williams, Cullen Brewer, Camden Parker, Camden Smith, JJ Baggett, James Sinclair, and Eben Best. Camden Davis, Peyton Gomez, Kendall Pope, Brandt Sumner, Jonathan Ramirez, Alberto Zepata, Brock Sumner, Seavy Jordan, Walker Spell, James Darden, LJ Gutierrez, Marco Andre Beteta, Jackson Lowe, Uziel Ayala, Yahir Serrano, and Coach Alicia Sumner. Coaches: Glenn Best, Tim Sumner.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Sampson.jpgSampson Middle, in no particular order: Zach Pope, Cullen Warren, Holden Spell, Ethan Matthis, Brennon Bell, Luis Euraque, Will Johnson, Malachi Rosa, Josue Miguel, and Ryan Freeman. Ayden Lamb, Griffin Williams, Cullen Brewer, Camden Parker, Camden Smith, JJ Baggett, James Sinclair, and Eben Best. Camden Davis, Peyton Gomez, Kendall Pope, Brandt Sumner, Jonathan Ramirez, Alberto Zepata, Brock Sumner, Seavy Jordan, Walker Spell, James Darden, LJ Gutierrez, Marco Andre Beteta, Jackson Lowe, Uziel Ayala, Yahir Serrano, and Coach Alicia Sumner. Coaches: Glenn Best, Tim Sumner.
Horses, Raiders go to PKs to decide champ

Staff Reports

Reach Sports Editor Daron Barefoot at [email protected].