Providence outlasts Weddington in a close battle to advance to the NC 4A quarterfinals
Monday night, in the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs, the No. 4 seeded Providence Panthers defeated No. 5 seeded Weddington 1-0.
Early on in the contest, the referees were letting both teams play very physically, not calling many penalties. Neither team had a shot on goal until seven minutes into the game due to the high level of physicality, and neither team was able to progress into the opposing sides attacking third until this point either.
Both teams were on the attack with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Providence executed an excellent cross to a wide-open shot, but keeper Owen Pendergrast came up with the save. One minute later it was Weddington’s turn to electrify the crowd with a shot saved by the Panthers’ keeper Colton White.
The Panthers (18-1-2) had the edge in the last 10 minutes of the first half as they would get two of their four shots on goal in this span. Excellent saves by Pendergrast kept the Panthers scoreless heading into the halftime break. Head Coach for Providence, Nicolas Sosa, received a yellow card late in the first half for expressing his concern over a perceived Weddington foul.
The Panthers got going in the second half -- with a goal coming just four minutes in by forward Taylor Uzacki giving the Panthers the lead with the majority of the half still to play.
The Panthers would have several more shots, but the excellent keeping by Pendergrast prevented any more Providence scores. Weddington controlled the tempo the last 10 minutes, keeping the ball on the Providence side of the field and threatening on several occasions.
But in the end, the defense of the Panthers prevailed.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game,” Sosa said after the game. “We felt like we were the underdogs coming in because they are the defending state champs.”
Sosa felt as if his guys were playing with a little bit of chip on their shoulder due to the contest, they had with Weddington earlier in the season.
“We had tied earlier in the year,” he said, “so we knew this was going to be a dogfight.”
Looking ahead, Uzacki believes there is no team that will prepare as hard as they will.
“We made sure our team worked as hard or even better than the other team,” Uzacki said. “We may not be the best team but we are the most hard-working team out there.”
THREE WHO MATTERED
Taylor Uzacki, Providence: Not only did he score the lone goal of the game, but he was all over the field making great plays on defense as well. He was able to disrupt several lead passes by the Warriors and make life easier for his keeper.
Owen Pendergrast, Weddington: If it weren’t for the excellent keeping skills of Pendergrast, Providence could have easily scored two or even three more goals. Providence’s striking was very precise in this game, but Pendergrast was ready for it tailing 11 saves.
Colton White, Providence: The junior goalkeeper was busy, especially late in the game when Weddington had three shots on goal in the last nine minutes of the game. He did not waver though, recording 10 saves in the game.
WORTH MENTIONING
▪ Weddington had five free-kicks in the first half, and several came close to scores, but just missed the mark or were able to be saved by the Providence keeper.
▪ The goalkeepers were very busy in this game as the save total tailed over 21 for both keepers combined.
▪ This win is special for coach Sosa as not only does it advance his team in the playoffs, but the win also comes on the anniversary of his mother’s passing. He was wiping away tears following the game.
UP NEXT
It is the end of the season for the defending 3A state champion Warriors, while Providence advances to the quarterfinals of the NC 4A playoffs to face the 8th seeded Hough Huskies at home on Thursday, Nov. 11.
Scoring Summary
Weddington: 0 0 -- 0
Providence: 0 1 -- 1
P: Taylor Uzacki (unassisted)