MILTON, Ga. – Torren Celio's (2020) two diving saves in a penalty kick shootout secured a wild win for Cambridge over the Centennial Knights to open Region 7-AAAAAA play at CHS Stadium on Friday, February 28th.

In a match that had a little bit of everything, Cambridge immediately went against its early season archetype with a goal at the 1 minute and 20 second mark courtesy of Lucas Pegorer (2020). The Bears took the opening kickoff and played deep in their own half before Reece Degen (2020) was released up the right flank, and dribbled into the box taking on multiple defenders. In the resulting scramble, Pegorer emerged from the scrum to toe-poke in the opener from 3 yards for the early Cambridge 1-0 lead.

On the way to the match, the Bears apparently walked under 3 ladders while taking selfies with multiple black cats before getting dressed in front of a cracked mirror as they were unable to convert multiple golden opportunities to add to the lead. Luke Isler's header was saved in the 9^th minute which was followed by a 1v1 chance for Degen in the 17^th minute that hit the left post, and then moments later another 1v1 opportunity for Degen that was well saved by the Knights keeper. Degen again was frustrated as his 23^rd minute shot rolled wide after a great setup by Carter Johnson (2021). Pegorer then had two great chances in the 38^th minute and 50^th minutes, the latter after beating two defenders in the box and forcing a full stretch save by the Centennial keeper. Johnson's header in the 69^th minute went just wide of goal.

All of the Bears' missed opportunities came back to haunt them as the Knights tied the game in the 73^rd minute on a 35 yard deflected shot that was able to find the back of the net to tie the game at 1, and send the game to overtime.

In the first 10-minute OT period, Degen was thwarted on a breakaway in the 82^nd minute, and then the real fun began. With 2 minutes 33 seconds remaining, the lights went out. Pitch black darkness. Urgent telephone calls were made, utility bills were paid, and Willie Nelson's "Turn Out the Lights, the Party's Over" was played over the loudspeaker. After a 15-minute delay, the lights came back on and the first OT period ended without consequence. In the second OT period, Erik Holmen (2021) almost played the hero as his well-placed free kick from 22 yards was just flipped over the bar by the Knights keeper. Johnson then defied physics by sending a free header over the bar from 1 yard out on the resulting corner. This match was always destined for penalty kicks.

In the shootout, the Bears and Knights each held serve after the first shot was converted by each side. Holmen provided a 2-1 margin before Centennial once again tied the score. Pegorer then restored the 1 goal lead before Celio came up huge diving to his left at full stretch to reach the ball with his fingertips before it bounced on the goal line and then spun harmlessly away. Jeffrey Rael (2021) then confidently stepped up and delivered a 4-2 margin meaning the Knights would have to score to keep their hopes alive. Celio guessed correctly again, diving to his left and easily stopped the Centennial offering and the Cambridge players, coaches, trainers and VIPs all sprinted down the pitch to mob the winning goalie in delirious celebration.

The Bears head to Chattahoochee for their next match on Tuesday, March 3^rd at 8:00PM.

Go Bears!