NASHVILLE, Tenn — Page High School fell victim to the “Lions Den” on Thursday as CPA rolled by a depleted Patriot squad, 5 to 1.
Even without starting keeper Bow Shafer, who was out with an injury, the Patriots kept CPA off the scoresheet, for the first forty minutes. The Lions did the same thing in the first half and the teams went to the break in a 0-0 deadlock.
The match would open up in the second half. The first goal came in the 45th minute and with a little controversy.
Chip Omer met keeper,Wilson West, in the air and despite protest from the Patriots, the referee’s decision was that West never had possession and Omer’s header put CPA 1-0 to the good.
“Everybody on the field said the keeper had the ball in his hands, the keeper said he had the ball in his hands.” Said Page Head Coach, Nate Clapp. “But it is what it is.”
The Lions built upon their lead just a few minutes later on another cross and there was no denying the legitimacy of this finish. J.R. Osborne slammed in the cross off the finger tips of West and the hosts could start to feel the Championship coming their way.
CPA Head Coach Brett Armstrong said while the first goal was big, it was the second that really lifted the team.
“I think it was the second goal, because he hit so well, that got our juices going” said Armstrong. “Those two goals really got our momentum going.”
But Page wasn’t going to lay down just yet.
Against the run of play, the visitors were able to get into the attacking third where Jacob Metkler was fouled inside the 18 yard box. The referee pointed to the spot where the Captain, Tristan Lonergan, finished off the penalty and it was game on.
CPA didn’t allow the Patriot fans to celebrate for too long. Just under a minute later, they found the back of the net and once again it was a two goal advantage.
That goal came from Chip Omer as well and he would get the hat trick later by finishing off a bouncing ball in the box that Page failed to clear.
The Lions added the exclamation point later in the match, with a penalty kick to make it 5-1.
Coach Clapp complimented the Lions on how they worked to get the ball into the attacking third but also stated that his players have to work better to not allow as many goal scoring opportunities as CPA got tonight.
“CPA’s a great team and they worked hard tonight to win this game and they deserved it. They wanted it more than we did.”
CPA will host Columbia Academy, while Page will have to travel to Hickman County for Regionals. Both of those games will take place on Tuesday.
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