VIDEO, PHOTOS: OCHS nips Middle in extra time in Hall’s Carpet Care Game of the Week

Posted: September 19th 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township High School boys soccer team came within inches of a signature victory Monday evening.

Level with Ocean City in the dying moments of regulation, Middle’s Josiel Lopez drifted a shot from 15 yards toward the right post, only to see Ocean City goalkeeper Eddie Fuller make a diving fingertip save.

The Raiders then capitalized on their good fortune in extra time when Anthony Evans beat the Middle defense to a loose ball in the penalty area and blasted home from 12 yards to give his team a 2-1 victory in the CapeAtlanticLive.com/Hall’s Carpet Care Game of the Week. 

The match was played under the lights at the Boyd Street Field.

“I thought we played well,” Middle coach Scott Kurkowski said. “To hang around for almost 90 minutes with a team like Ocean City … That’s a very good team, They’re very calm on the ball. But we were in the game. I thought it could have gone either way.”

Eddie Hirsch opened the scoring within the first five minutes, giving Middle the early lead with a patient, composed finish inside the left post after taking multiple touches to free himself for the shot from 10 yards.

Ocean City (3-2) equalized early in the second half when Kai Lindsay’s direct kick from the left flank found the net just inside the right post. The Raiders continued to threaten repeatedly in the first 20 minutes of the second half but couldn’t break through again. Middle goalkeeper Miles Stafford made a terrific leaping save at the right post to stop one chance.

“We knew they’d come out firing in the second half,” Kurkowski said. “But we fought every single play and showed some resilience.”

Middle fell to 2-3-1 with the loss. The Panthers are competing with a team that features just a couple of seniors who see regular playing time. Some of the team’s key players are just sophomores.

“Our record might not be where we want it to be but the learning and growth of the team will take some time with this schedule we have,” Kurkowski said. “We have a lot of young guys and our best soccer is ahead of us. We keep telling the group ever since we started that even when we don’t get the result we’re seeing some good soccer and that’s important. We’re playing better every single day.”

Middle next plays Friday at home against Cedar Creek.