FUQUAY-VARINA –The Burlington Celtics rallied in the 2nd half to edge Bladen County 4-3 Sunday and advance to the championship game of the State-Wide Activities Committee (SWAC) 10-and-Under Boys Soccer state tournament.
Tyler Thurman sent an assist to Andrew Martinez who scored the goal that gave Bladen County an early 1-0 lead. Burlington tied it 1-1 then took the lead 2-1 on a controversial goal on a penalty kick that was awarded for a handball that the Bladen supporters said hit a stomach not a hand.
In the 2nd half Martinez delivered a corner kick that Chatham Rigsbee punched into the net for the goal that tied the game 2-2.
Bladen County was awarded a penalty kick due to a Burlington handball. Thurman rocketed a low shot into the right corner to edge Bladen ahead 3-2. A miscue on clearing a goal kick allowed the Celtics to score the tying goal.
Burlington scored on a breakaway to go back on top 4-3. Bladen had several attacks in the final 5 minutes that came very close.
“It was a really good ball game,” said Bladen assistant Steve Thurman. “We beat that team up and down the field but that penalty kick on a non-handball saved them. We should have been playing in the championship game.”
Bladen County finished the tournament with a 2-2 record. The team is pictured above:
Bottom row (Left-Right): Douglas Varley, Luis Ayala, Owen Hall, Andrew Martinez, Diego Sandoval Bravo, Chatham Rigsbee.
Top row (L-R): Alfredo Funez Munoz, Roberto Sandoval Bravo, Greigh Butler, Tyler Thurman, Jose Elian de la Sancha, Gael Edahl-Ortiz Aguilar.
Coaches (L-R): Stephanie Thurman, Jay Raynor, Laura Hall.
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