By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sun Journal Staff
VANCEBORO — T.J. Crompton did everything he could to lead the Washington Pam Pack into the playoffs. Washington pretty much needed to win both games this week to secure a spot, but West Craven hurt the Pack’s chances with a wild 5-4 victory in Tuesday’s Coastal Conference soccer action.
“I think we could have done a little better,” Crompton said. “They always seem to get us in the last couple minutes. We just get lazy. We just need to stay strong.
“I was really hoping to make it to the playoffs, but I think it depended on this game. I think we needed to win both our games this week to get in. We might still have a chance, but I’m not sure.”
Crompton had helped Washington (6-9-3, 3-7-3) overcome a 3-1 deficit early in the second half. Jaime Cortes, who has scored 49 goals for West Craven (14-3-4, 6-3-4), gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead after beating two defenders to the goal.
Cameron Ashley tied the game with a goal less than two minutes into the second half.
Cortes answered less than three minutes later, and sophomore Lamberto Gomez ripped a shot into the net from some 20 yards out for a 3-1 West Craven advantage six minutes into the half.
Crompton, who has notched 10 goals this season, started the Pack’s rally by ripping in a free shot that glanced off West Craven keeper Sam Mitchell and rolled into the goal.
A terrific throw-in by Ashley allowed Bobby Jefferson to score, tying the game at 3-3 with some 20 minutes left to play.
“I knew height was going to be a factor tonight,” West Craven coach Aaron Steele said. “They took full advantage of it. They have a specialist (Ashley) doing the throw-in from deep and that just killed us tonight.”
Another fantastic throw-in by Ashley allowed Crompton to rocket home his second goal of the night, giving the Pack a 4-3 advantage with 18:45 remaining.
Unfortunately for Washington, it couldn’t hold the lead.
Cortes scored his third goal with 4:36 remaining to tie the game. Gomez scored the game-winner off a free kick at the 1:35 mark.
Washington coach Jimmy Kozuch said it was a tough way to lose.
“It’s a tough loss,” Kozuch said. “The offense scored a couple cool goals. Unfortunately, we had a nightmare on defense tonight.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Seth Correll tallied eight saves for Washington. The Pack also got strong efforts out of the likes of Oscar Alvarez, Lee Pinkham, Thomas Sutton, Mike McKeel, Lee Hodges and Hilton O’Neal.
The Pack closes out the regular season Thursday at South Central. Though it may be Crompton’s last game with the Pam Pack, he’s hoping the team can finish strong and build on something for next season.
“We have to play as a team,” Crompton said. “It may be my last year, but a lot of these guys will still be playing together next year. If they want to do anything, they have to work together.”
Kevin Travis can be reached at 252-635-5669 or at ktravis@freedomenc.com.