Stoppage time goal prevents third-straight loss for Pam Pack

Shuffling formations, adjusting to injuries, battling through a tough out-of-conference campaign and finding the right combination of midfielders has made for a convoluted and, by head coach Jim Kozuch’s standards, unsuccessful start to the season for the Washington soccer team.

The midfield, an area Kozuch felt most confident in during tryouts, has continuously broken down, allowing opposing forwards and strikers to slip past the defense, which as resulted in a barrage of breakaways.

On Wednesday, the Pam Pack matched up against 4-A foe J.H. Rose for the second time in a week. And for the second-straight game, Kozuch employed his new-look 4-4-2 formation that dropped forward Leo Brown back to defense, moved defender William Page to the midfield and injected junior Miguel Hernandez at left wing.

Jumping out to an early two-goal lead, the Pam Pack seemed to finally get that boost of confidence its been searching for all season, but the Rampants powered their way back with three goals to erase the lead. It took a stoppage time strike from junior Kyle Hodges to prevent the Pam Pack from dropping its third-straight contest.

“Every game we’ve played we’ve improved,” Kozuch said. “Losing seven guys from last year, rebuilding it not easy. We have good players, but finding the right players for every position is still the key. We’re shuffling things around and I like where we are at right now. I think we can be really successful, but we still need to gel together, become one.”

Before Hodges had the chance to deposit the game-tying goal, he put Washington up one on the first scoring opportunity of the game. For the second time this season, Hodges launched a throw-in that sailed over the defense, tipped off the keeper’s hands and found its way into the back of the net. An unconventional strike to say the least, but its a strategy Kozuch is clearly not afraid to use.

Early in the match, Washington kept the pressure on and retained posession. Page working efficiently with the defense to prevent scoring opportunities for Rose, keeping the ball on the opponent’s end.

With 33 minutes to go in the first half, Rose’s Andrew McKinnon got behind the defense and scored, but the referee’s flag was raised, signaling offsides. Seconds later, Washington countered, as midfielder Lupe Barrera hit a forward pass right to the foot of Sergio Higuera, who flicked the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper’s head to put the Pack up 2-0.

A minute later, Higuera redirected an Eric Ruiz cross perfectly past the goalkeeper, but again, the referee’s flag was raised, overturning the goal.

Resembling the breakaways that have plagued the Pack all season, the Rampants’ standout forward Chris Jester converted a one-on-one with goalie William Tate after a through ball from McKinnon slipped past the midfield.

Up 2-1 at the break, Kozuch’s new scheme seemed to be operating proficiently, as his team was winning the possession battle.

“We came off and started this game the way we needed to start it,” Kozuch said. “We like to put pressure on teams like that — defensive players make mistakes and we are able to capitalize.”

Tate was on high alert for most of the second half, as Rose clawed its way back into the game. After four failed strikes, Rose tied the game with 25 minutes left in the game after a Washington defensive lapse resulted in another breakaway and easy goal for McKinnon.

Riding a wave of momentum and possession, midfielder Cameron Higley found an opening off a corner kick and gave his team the lead with 15 minutes to go.

Washington would have plenty of chances to tie the game in the final minutes, including a Hodges breakaway that was cutoff by the Rose goalie. However, it would take stoppage time to determine the final score.

“William Page was switching positions and was talking to me,” Kozuch said. “He received the ball and I told him to get the ball to Kyle on the right side. Right when I said it, Kyle took it up the field. Kyle missed one earlier and he was determined he was going to get one. He hit a rocket.”

Again, goalie Connor Pumphrey got a hand on it, but this time couldn’t corral the shot. Hodges notched his second goal of the game, saving the Pam Pack from another tough loss.

“All my boys, we are a unit,” Kozuch said. “Everybody is excited to play with each other and that’s extremely important. What we lack is a midfield, so we need to work on that. If we can put together a midfield, I think we’ll be solid.”

A part of the 2014 Kickoff Classic, Kozuch and the Pam Pack will hit the road today to face Jordan-Matthews at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Then, on Saturday, Washington will face Newton-Conover at 9 a.m.