CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A year ago, the final minutes of Myers Park’s Wednesday night boys soccer match against Garinger would’ve probably looked a lot different. But the Mustangs are a different breed this season.

Despite being down to a man, No. 10 Myers Park rallied with a 75th minute goal to defeat No. 21 Garinger 2-1.

Myers Park (4-0-1) had to settle for seven ties a year ago — seven! Losing a player with a straight red card with 11:43 remaining in a tied match gave more than enough reason for it to repeat itself this year.

But instead, Vlad Grigoryan’s 40-yard free kick missile beat the keeper to the near post to keep the Mustangs unbeaten on the year.

“This year we have a lot more experience,” said senior center back Gavin Trosch. “Last year we struggled with what combinations of players worked better… this year we have a lot more people stepping up.”

The two teams were tied 1-1 at halftime, which was reflective of how even the match’s first 40 minutes were.

Myers Park struck first in the 19th minute as Andre Adams found some space on the right side and fired a shot into the far side netting. It was the midfielder’s second of the year.

Garinger found an equalizer as speedy sophomore Elmer Hernandez drew a PK with 39.0 seconds left until halftime. Senior Diego Silva took the PK and it glanced off the keeper’s mitts to make it 1-1. It was Silva’s ninth goal of the season.

The Mustangs also have a win over Hough and a tie with Hickory Ridge to their credit this season.

It was the last nonconference test for Garinger (5-3-1) before the Wildcats begin conference play next week. Each of Garinger’s three losses have been one-goal decisions to two top-10 teams, the other two being Lake Norman and Grimsley.

Source: highschoolot.com