Peachtree Ridge Lions Soccer

Lions Repel Raider Attack – Remain Undefeated

Video Highlights

March 8, 2011:  The Lions faced the best offensive attack they have seen during the 2011 campaign when they faced off against 9^th ranked Habersham Central at Raider Stadium. 

“The Raiders are skilled and quick, and their midfielders are very strong,” said Coach Ryan Sutton.  “They tested our defense tonight.  It is a good thing that Mitch and Daryl came to play, or this outcome could have been different.”  Mitch Kupstas and Daryl Sack, the Lion net minders, were both brilliant turning away point blank shots while keeping the clean sheet.

With Derek Bryant out with an MCL injury and Juan Herrara forced to sit because of a red-card in the Grayson game, several Lion players were forced to step into new roles.  “We had Chris Cook playing attacking mid tonight,” Sutton commented.  “While it was not his natural position, he was instrumental in countering the Raider’s attack and still contributed effectively offensively.  Daniel Rodriquez started at forward for us, and he was also effective and had several early chances.”

However, it was Kupstas in the first half and Sack in the second half that sealed the victory for the lions.  J.T. Taplin, Justin Sedam and Grayson Guldenschuh were each solid in front of them.  Nathaniel Grant played an exceptionally strong second half as he repelled a number of Raider attacks from the right side of the field. 

“While in the first half we were a little shaky at the team level, players like Nate and Jeremy really stepped up in the second half,” said Sutton. 

Jeremy Rector scored the Lion’s first goal off a ball that Josh Mahram lofted into the midfield onto the head of Cook.  Cook flicked the ball onto Rector as he moved into the box from the left side of the field.  He went to goal and beat the keeper as he hit the far side netting with his left footed shot.  Rector also scored the Lion’s second goal when he took control of a long bouncing clearance from Jake Siracusa on the left side of the field.  In a play very similar to the first goal, Rector went to goal and beat the keeper, this time using his right foot into the same side netting.

The Lion’s were outshot on the night for the first time this season, 13-11, and both teams received 9 fouls each.  Peachtree Ridge won the battle for corner kicks 5-1, which led to several quality scoring chances that “just missed” as Cook played some beautiful balls into the box.

The Lion’s hit the road this week as they head to South Carolina to take on Aiken and South Aiken High Schools.  Friday night finds the Lion’s playing Aiken at 7:30 PM, while the boys have a Saturday contest against South Aiken starting at 4:00 PM.  Be There!