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Bassett boys down Martinsville in 3-2 OT win
Earn share of PD title
Martinsville's Zach Corcoran (1) goes down while taking a shot as Bassett's Zach Atwood (9) and Ethan Atwood (4) defend on Tuesday at teh Smith River Sports Complex. Bassett rallied for a 3-2 overtime win, earning a share of the district title with Martinsville. (Bulletin photo by Mike Wray)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
By JOHNNY BUCK - Bulletin Sports Editor
Bassett’s Matt Chitwood scored in the final moments of the second overtime Tuesday, capping an improbable rally from a 2-0 second-half deficit to give the Bengals their first ever sweep of Martinsville and a share of the Piedmont District title.
Chitwood’s shot, which came in stoppage time from about 15 yards out, glanced off the hands of Martinsville’s goal keeper before hitting the bottom of the crossbar and landing behind the goal-line for the 3-2 win.
The Bengals (11-4-1, 6-2 PD) and the Bulldogs (12-3-1, 6-2 PD) must now face each other again in a tiebreaker match this week. The winner of that game will earn the top seed in next week’s district tournament, as well as the automatic regional tournament berth that accompanies it, according to BHS athletic director Jason Wood.
The last goal capped an impressive performance from Chitwood on senior night. In addition to the game winner, he assisted on each of his team’s other goals.
“It’s amazing. This will stay with me forever. It’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life,” said Chitwood, who will graduate in the coming weeks. “It feels great. I’d never beaten Martinsville. I’ve been here three years, and I think we’d tied them, at best. And this year’s been probably the best we’ve ever been. It’s just a great feeling.”
Martinsville controlled the contest in the first half but led just 1-0 at halftime after Joel Johnston headed in a Garrett Van Nutt cornerkick in the 7th minute.
The Bulldogs had several chances to add to their lead in the first stanza but couldn’t do so, in large part to the solid play of BHS goalie Bill Ison.
Martinsville’s Juan Angel knifed through the defense and scored in the 48th minute to give MHS a 2-0 lead.
Motivated by the knowledge that a tie or loss would leave them second in the final PD standings, the Bengals picked up the intensity down the stretch.
First, Brian Byrd scored from directly in front of the net on a one-timer set up by Chitwood’s penetration down the endline. Then BHS tied it in the 73rd minute on a cornerkick that saw the ball get headed by two different Bassett players before Jose Avila headed it into the net.
“I think we lost a little bit of focus and maybe tried to play a little more defensively. Not by design, but the kids were wore out, tired,” said MHS coach Pete Scouras. “Bassett — it came down to who had the most guts, and they did. I mean, we gave up three goals in a row.”
BHS out-shot MHS 15-7 for the game, including an 11-3 second-half edge.
“Martinsville played great. Martinsville’s the team to knock off and always has been the team to knock off in the Piedmont,” Wylie said afterward. “We’ve done it twice this year. We’ve got a third game with them, and it ought to be fun.”
Bassett 3
Martinsville 2
First Half
M — J. Johnston goal, G. Van Nutt ast. 6:11.
Second Half
M — J. Angel goal. 47:26.
B — B. Byrd goal, ast. M. Chitwood. 68:10
B — J. Avila goal, ast. M. Chitwood. 72:36.
First Overtime
No scoring
Second Overtime
B — M. Chitwood goal. 88:00.
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