Wilmington, NC - Despite a strong second half effort, Cape Fear men's soccer team would open the weekend with a 2-3 loss to conference opponent USC Salkehatchie. After going down 3-0 at halftime, the Sea Devils would get two back in the second half.
The game began with neither team able to hold possession for very long. Then, in the 3rd minute, Salkehatchie's Jonas Hastelhano Da Silva scored after Cape Fear gave the ball away in their own third.
Over the next few minutes, Cape Fear would get themselves in good positions on multiple occasions, but would be unable to get a shot on goal.
Zambrano would make two saves to keep the deficit at one in 19th minute. Salkehatchie would get a shot right in front of goal that Zambrano would push wide. After a rebound by the Indians, Zambrano would push the second save off the post, and then collect the ball.
The Sea Devils would get a solid chance in the 24th minute after forcing Salkehatchie to turn the ball over in their own third. Freshman Alex Degrassi would take a shot from the left side of the box, but it would go high above the goal.
Cape Fear was holding their own for most of the half, until Salkehatchie scored two goals close to halftime. Their second goal would come in the 39th minute, when Maximillian Fischer would score on a header off a corner kick by Kristoff Young. They would get their third goal seconds after, as Shane Sterling finish off a cross from Joel Salcedo.
Cape Fear would come out of halftime the stronger side. They would do a better job defensively at preventing Salkehatchie from getting any real chance at goal.
Momentum would start to swing in the Sea Devil's favor in the 60th minute. It would start with a chance by Dan Jacobo, whose shot would go high after the ball dropped to him in the box.
Cape Fear would get on the board soon after, as Lennon-McCartney Barrier would get his first goal of the season. He would make a great turn in the box, and shoot high into the right side of the goal.
The Sea Devils second goal would come a minute later, as Brian Leite would dribble through Salkehatchie's defense, and slide his shot past the keeper.
Head coach C.W. Ponton credited the team's raised mentality to the improved second half. "We didn't make any changes at all in the second. We just needed to make our guys raise their level of intensity."
The Indians would regain control of possession for the next part of the second half, but Cape Fear would continue to apply pressure.
Cape Fear would get one final chance in the 85th minute off a corner, but Leite's header would go wide.
Despite the loss, Ponton was pleased with the team's play in the second half. "They came out ready to play in the second half and that's the best they have played all season." When asked how they should approach tomorrow's game, Ponton stated, "Just play like we did in the second half. Come out with a high level of intensity, and follow the game plan."
Cape Fear moves to 1-4 with today's loss. They will play USC Lancaster tomorrow at 6 p.m., who they beat on the road earlier this season 1-0.
Courtesy of Nick Denning
