Raleigh, NC - Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Cape Fear vs Wake Tech

Cape Fear wins 5-3

Highlights: In a high-stakes Region 10 Conference Semifinal, Cape Fear secured a thrilling 5-3 victory over the relentless Wake Tech Eagles, advancing to the championship match this Saturday.

The Sea Devils opened the scoring early with a penalty kick from freshman Tanner Small, but after gaining the lead, they briefly lost momentum when Wake Tech capitalized with a low shot, leveling the game. Just three minutes before halftime, Wake Tech struck again, sending Cape Fear into the break trailing 2-1.

Perhaps earlier in the Sea Devils' season, a 2-1 halftime deficit might have led to a collapse, but Cape Fear has learned to thrive under pressure. "The growth of this team is what makes me as a coach most proud," said the Sea Devils' head coach Giovanni Vlahos. "They just grit their teeth and keep going."

That resilience paid off quickly in the second half. Just 10 minutes in, sophomore Chance Davis connected with an incredible left-footed volley off a brilliantly whipped ball from Cuitlahuac Gonzalez, tying the match at 2-2. Wake Tech responded swiftly, taking a 3-2 lead only three minutes later.

With 24 minutes remaining, Tanner Small delivered a low cross from the right flank, and Gonzalez slotted it home to level the score once again. Sensing a shift in momentum, and in a stunning one-minute burst, they scored twice to seal the game. Goalkeeper Aydan Scharf initiated a lightning-quick counterattack off a Wake Tech corner, collecting the ball and launching a pinpoint punt to Davis, who went 1v1 with the keeper and calmly finished to make it 4-3.

Cape Fear's final goal came moments later when Small's shot toward the near post was expertly flicked in by sophomore Cooper Lang, extending the lead to 5-3 and putting the match beyond Wake Tech's reach. The Sea Devils look forward to traveling to Patrick & Henry to compete in the Championship matchup this Saturday afternoon.