Barons, Eagles all even

For 78 minutes on Tuesday afternoon, it looked like the Blue Ridge boys soccer team was going to add another victory to its impressive resume, but that’s why they play 80 minutes.

Covenant had other ideas and added a late second half goal to tie and send the game into overtime, eventually ending the game in a 2-2 draw on a beautiful early fall afternoon.

Blue Ridge (7-1-1) dominated the first half and most of the second half taking a 2-0 lead with just under 24 minutes to go in the contest. Barons senior Chris Crimmins scored both goals, including one that he blasted into the back of the net without anyone really contesting it at all.

“I thought we played very well for about 79 minutes and had a win, but all the credit to Covenant,” said Blue Ridge coach Matt Bennett. “It was a great goal that they scored to tie it up with 30 seconds to go.”

Blue Ridge had to play most of the game without all-state selection Stephane Kouagou, who left the game in the first half with an apparent knee injury.

“He’s the second all-state selection that Blue Ridge has ever had, and he really controls the midfield. I hope he heals really fast,” Bennett said.

The Eagles (3-4-2) began their comeback midway through the second half with a goal from Sean Rutherford at the 21-minute mark.

“We got better and better as the game went on, especially the last 20 minutes of the second half,” said Covenant coach Bryan Verbrugge.

The Eagles tied the game with under a minute left in the game when Rutherford centered a pass to senior Will Gibson, who blasted it past Barons keeper Chidera Ezekwesili.

“We have talked and really expressed the importance of playing a full 80 minutes, and we did that today,” Verbrugge said.

Neither team could produce a goal in either of the two five-minute overtime periods, ending the game in a draw.

Covenant travels to Holy Cross on Friday, while Blue Ridge plays host to Liberty Christian next Tuesday.