Tarriers’ late-game spoiler leads to 1-1 draw

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What started as a commanding lead for the East Jefferson Rivals soccer team turned into a 1-1 draw during their Thursday matchup versus Charles Wright Academy at home in Port Townsend’s Memorial Stadium.

It was “not our best performance of the season,” said Rivals Head Coach Robert Cantley. “We were disappointed to not get the three [points], and lucky to not get the loss.”

Coming off a 4-0 win over Klahowya Secondary School two days prior, the EJ squad was high on confidence but missing a couple key players to injury or illness like freshman left back Simon Barlow.

Both teams were relatively even after the opening whistle until EJ earned a breakaway chance, stemming from a slick run and set-up pass from junior midfielder Connor Scanlon to sophomore forward Gary Zambor. The sophomore took aim but added too much power to the shot, keeping the match scoreless after 8 minutes of play.

Fourteen minutes into the opening half, the Tarriers broke through the Rivals’ defense for a shot on goal, but senior star keeper Haven McMillen collected the attempt with ease.

The Rivals launched a counterattack about halfway through the first half and raided the Tarriers’ penalty box. A Charles Wright defender’s wayward leg snagged one of the Rivals players in the box, leading to a penalty kick.

Scanlon lined up for the shot and booted a low strike to the middle of the net. The Tarriers keeper got a hand on the shot — and even appeared to have possibly saved it — but the referee called it a goal for EJ regardless.

With the lead secured, the Rivals continued to pressure Charles Wright, commanding possession and opening up chances on goal.

The Tarriers were looking to equalize before halftime and secured a dangerous shot in front of EJ’s net. “Savin Haven,” as McMillen is known by fans and teammates, made a stellar stop to keep the Rivals ahead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half.

McMillen wasn’t done yet, though, and the keeper made another incredible save, this time diving to his left to deflect a strike with his fingertips with 5 minutes remaining.

The Rivals rallied back in extra time during the opening half with an impressive passing display between Scanlon, Isaac Gurney, Zambor, and Taj Watson, with Mark Anderson taking the final shot on net. Anderson’s shot was close but ended up flying over the crossbar.

The whistle blew for halftime and both teams departed from the field with EJ up 1-0.

In the second half, the Rivals continued to put the pressure on while holding steady in their backfield, thanks in large part to junior Sean Botkin’s performance anchoring the backfield.

The Tarriers began attacking with more urgency, darting down EJ’s side in hopes of a late equalizer goal.

With nine minutes remaining in the final half, Charles Wright crowded the Rivals’ penalty box in hopes of a foul or goal. Their wish was granted after Botkin clashed with a Tarrier forward on the fast break, who collapsed to the grass looking for a foul that was whistled shortly after.

A mixture of jeers and groans of despair erupted from the home crowd as they questioned the referee’s second unwelcome decision of the night.

McMillen lined up to attempt a save at goal, but the Tarrier striker got the better of him with a well-placed shot to the keeper’s left corner.

EJ’s longstanding lead was shattered with eight minutes remaining.

Looking to pull out some last-minute magic in the final moments of the half, the Rivals upped the pace and sprinted down the sidelines. The EJ forwards passed the ball around and freed up space for a last shot. Botkin stormed downfield for an open shot from way outside the box. He laced an accurate line drive that belted toward the net.

But in devastating fashion for EJ, the rocketed strike pinged off of the opposing team’s top crossbar and bounced out of bounds.

The game went to overtime with two five-minute halves, but neither team could find the net and the match finished as a 1-1 tie.

“I felt like we were just flat everywhere on the field, just second to the ball and letting them dominate,” Cantley said after the game.

“I was not really pleased overall with much. A better team would’ve buried us today, but credit to Charles Wright for playing a good game and playing with intensity.”

“[The Tarriers] deserved a win if not more; we just have a good goalie back there to keep us in it when things aren’t going our way,” he added, commending McMillen.

The coach reiterated that the squad wasn’t at 100 percent fitness that night and was missing a couple key starters.

“We had a couple of guys that had to drop out through injuries and sickness and stuff. But that’s no excuse for not putting in a good performance,” Cantley said.

“I felt like we didn’t create enough of the opportunities to capitalize on, but that’s one thing we have to do. When we do have the opportunities, we have to take them, especially when we’re not creating too many. We’re still a young team, still in development.”

The Rivals faced Annie Wright School in Tacoma over the weekend and lost 1-0.

Sitting with a 3-4-1 record in the Nisqually League, EJ will hope to improve against Bellevue Christian High in an away game scheduled for Thursday, April 21.