VIDEO, PHOTOS: Goalkeeper’s dream – Gibson becomes unlikely scoring hero for LCM in extra time

Posted: September 24th 2024

Yahred Catana of Lower Cape May powers through the midield as Cape May Tech's Amine Cherifi defends.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

ERMA – A team in desperate need of a victory turned to an unlikely source to deliver it.

Ryan Gibson, Lower Cape May’s usual starting goalkeeper, became a field player for the second period of extra time and scored the golden goal as the Caper Tigers edged Cape May Tech, 2-1, in a game between a pair of rebuilding programs.

Gavin Ridgway’s free kick from 25 yards was saved by Cape May Tech goalkeeper Matthew Pinto, but the rebound spilled into the path of Gibson, who easily slotted the ball home in the 97th minute.

Lower, which earned its first victory, celebrated euphorically, mobbing Gibson as he ran toward midfield following his goal.

Adam Marshall opened the scoring for Lower (1-5-1) midway through the opening half on an excellent strike from near the 18-yard line. The goal was just the third of the season for a team that has been struggling to create consistent offense.

The teams battled hard from there but neither team created many real dangerous chances. That changed with less than 11 minutes to go in regulation, when Amine Cherifi calmly slid the ball inside the left post for the Hawks (2-7) after Dylan Wilson’s long free kick fell to Cherifi’s right foot.

Lower played on the front foot through the first extra-time period but did little to create a true scoring opportunity.

With just two substitutes available and his players running out of steam, Lower coach Cristian Valencia turned to Gibson, the one Caper Tiger with fresh legs, to give the team a spark by moving him from goalkeeper to forward.

Gibson did more than that, becoming a surprise goal scorer and hero for a team in critical need of a positive result.