Staff Writer
The
Apex men’s soccer team won in the second round of the state playoffs Monday
night, defeating the 6-seed New Bern Bears by a score of 2-0. The Cougars
scored two goals in the final 10 minutes of the game to send them on to the
third round of the state playoffs.
Apex
was determined to make the two hour trip to New Bern worthwhile and did so in
dominating fashion. Apex shed their underdog role from the start, controlling
the game right from kick-off. The first half was not filled with much drama as
it ended in a scoreless tie, but the 11-seed Cougars controlled the possession and
had many scoring opportunities. In fact, the game did not see its first goal
until Apex senior Alex Stewart found the back of the net in the 71st
minute of action off of a nice assist by junior Cole Pena. This was Pena’s
first game back after suffering a concussion earlier in the season, and he and
Stewart gave Apex much needed breathing room. “It was a huge relief knowing
that we were the better team. Going ahead with nine minutes left allowed us to
relax and put them away,” explained Stewart. And “put them away” is what the Cougars
did. Just seven minutes later, senior captain Jake Grieco scored on a breakaway
after a New Bern corner kick and sealed the win for Apex. Grieco is cherishing
this playoff run, especially after he missed the postseason last season. “It
felt great because this is my first time playing in the playoffs. I tore my ACL
early last season and missed the playoffs so it feels great to help my team win
this year,” he said.
Apex
is now in the third round of the state playoffs for the first time since 2011.
They are facing a Broughton team who has only one loss on the season which came
to Sanderson; the same team the Cougars beat in the first round of the playoffs.
The Cougars respect the Capitals’ talent, but also know they are getting hot at
the right time. “As a team, we know Broughton is a great group, but we also
know how good we are,” said Stewart. “We are very confident going into the game
but know that it is important to stay humble.”
It
will be No. 11 Apex at No. 3 Broughton on Wednesday night in the third round of
the state playoffs.
