Big second half lifts Sussex Academy soccer to tie with Bucs
The Sussex Academy soccer team came back from a 3-1 first-half deficit to control play in the second half and tie Milford 4-4 on the Seahawks’ home turf.
Bucs junior Thompson Burke scored a hat trick in the first half and added a PK goal in the second half to lead the scoring for the Bucs. Paul Sollie tallied the only assist.
Justin Friscia got the Seahawks on the scoreboard on a free kick at the 40-minute mark.
Esteban Lara Nieto scored unassisted to start the second half. Andree Mendoza hit the twine off a pass from Alex Jaimes to tie the game at 3-3. After the penalty kick by Burke, Jaimes hit the cage on a PK of his own to garner the 4-4 tie.
The teams took 31 shots (Seahawks 15, Bucs 16) in the contest. Seahawks keeper Carter Norton stopped 12 shots, while Milford goalie Dawson Dillon made 11 saves.
“Wow. What a game that went on in the second half,” said Sussex Academy coach RJ Dina. “I think we came out flat; to be frank, a little exhausted. We conceded three quick goals and dug ourselves into a huge hole. We decided to shift formation to stop the bleeding toward the end of the first half and were lucky to find the back of the net in the final minute. I think that gave us the right momentum shift going into the second half. At halftime, we addressed none of the issues or any of the mistakes, rather explained in detail how we needed to change shape and personnel to get back in this match. Like clockwork, we came out and immediately created opportunities. One ball fell to our center mid and he took a wonderful shot; 90 seconds in, we found ourselves back in the game down 3-2. We stuck to the halftime adjustment and clawed back 3-3. This group, however young, is so resilient. When faced with a bit of adversity, they move forward as a group. That was so evident even after we tied it up 3-3; conceding a questionable PK, we found a way to level score again at 4-4. These kids are tough.”
The Seahawks are back in action Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Polytech, while Milford plays Lake Forest at home.
