Last gasp winner sends Nation Ford past defending state champs

Yes, the heavens had just opened up with a spitting, chilly rain, but those were tears streaming down Kevin Garces’ face at the final whistle of Nation Ford’s 3-2 boys’ soccer second round playoff win over J.L. Mann.

Nation Ford trailed the defending state champs 2-1 in overtime Thursday night, but Will Martin slotted home a late penalty, before Blake Baker crushed a ball clear from the Falcons’ defensive end into the path of the speeding Garces. He controlled the ball, saw off the challenge of a J.L. Mann defender and poked the ball past the keeper for the game-winner.

“Ah, I just was thinking I had to put it in the back of the net,” said Garces. “That’s what was on my mind. That’s what I had to do.”

J.L. Mann, three-time state title winners, including last spring, looked to be in complete control of the game from halftime on. The Falcons took a 1-0 lead into the break on Blake Baker’s twice-taken penalty kick in the 19th minute, but a persistent wind made it nearly impossible for the home team to get out of its defensive end in the second half.

The Patriots piled on the pressure, scoring just four minutes into the second period. Drake Byrd capitalized on a defensive mix-up in the Nation Ford backline, nudging the ball past the keeper to tie the game 1-1.

The defending champs always looked the more likely to win, and grabbed another early goal several minutes into the first 10-minute overtime period. Nation Ford cleared a free kick but only as far as Chris Amond, who sizzled a left-footed shot into the corner from about 20 yards out to put the Patriots in front, 2-1.

Turning point

The penalty kick call in overtime was a brave call by the referee. J.L. Mann coach Brian Dender was livid with the decision, though, and might have had good reason. The ball was blasted into the Patriots’ penalty area, striking a defender’s arm from close range. But it didn’t appear that he had made any overt movement toward the ball. Still, the call was irreversible, as was Baker’s crucial – and coolly taken – equalizer into the right corner.

“I saw an officiating crew absolutely destroy a good game,” Dender said. “They had more impact on this game than a referee should.”

Critical

The momentum – and the wind, after the two teams changed ends – was firmly in Nation Ford’s favor, and Garces’ last-gasp goal was just reward for a fighting performance.

“The guys weren’t gonna quit,” said Jarrett. “You knew that.”

Nation Ford kept its cool against a team used to playing in big games. Jarrett’s side may have been fortunate to draw two spot kicks, but still had to make them.

“One of them twice,” he pointed out.

Star contributions

Garces – the speedy Colombian – is one of the best players in the state and he worked tirelessly up front, by himself, for the entire game. Baker’s hopeful smash down the field – wind-aided, no doubt – rose the crowd in anticipation and Garces rewarded their belief, shrugging off a J.L. Mann tackle, before prodding the ball home. He raced to the corner, swinging his shirt around his head in the cold, driving rain.

“It finally paid off,” said Jarrett. “He deserves it, he’s a great kid.”

On deck

Nation Ford advances to a third round matchup with Wade Hampton, which dropped Greenwood 4-1 Thursday night. Jarrett said he left his Saturday schedule open on purpose.

“I was expecting to play on Saturday,” he said. “We’re playing on Saturday.”

Box score

Nation Ford 3, J.L. Mann 2

NF: Blake Baker PK (19), Will Martin PK (97), Kevin Garces (99)

JLM: Drake Byrd (44), Chris Amond (83)

Records: Nation Ford 19-3; J.L. Mann 18-7

This story was originally published May 5, 2016 at 9:29 PM with the headline "Last gasp winner sends Nation Ford past defending state champs."