MARVIN, N.C. — A battle of two defending state champions came down to the final seconds. The final seconds evaporated. And just like that, No. 1 Providence Day and No. 6 Marvin Ridge settled for a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

Providence Day’s Blane McElroy drew a foul outside of the box with 12 seconds left in the game. The clock ran while the referee set up the free kick, and the attempt for a game-winner never materialized.

It was a game that both teams could surely benefit from this season.

Providence Day (6-0-1), ranked first in the state and the reigning N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 4A champs, dominated the first half, which took place mostly in the Chargers’ attacking third. The only goal to come from the lion’s share of possession came in the 18th minute when Zoe Hargreaves found the end of a McElroy cross.

It was McElroy’s seventh assist in as many games and Hargreaves’ second goal.

The Chargers’ 1-0 lead at halftime seemed safe until the final 20 minutes, when Marvin Ridge — sparked in part by the movement of Jessica Mattson from back line to midfield — woke up and took over.

Marvin Ridge (5-1-3), ranked sixth in the state and the reigning N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A champs, got on the board on a 25-yard strike from Lucy Chin. While on the run, thanks to a pass from Mattson that sprung her free, she curled a shot to the near post that beat the keeper to make it 1-1 in the 68th minute.

It was Chin’s eighth goal in nine games.

Chin almost had the game-winner three minutes later, but she was whistled offsides on the rebound.

Marvin Ridge’s only loss of the year came to cross-the-county-line rival Ardrey Kell, which is ranked fifth. Kell’s only loss came to Providence Day.

BOX SCORE
PDS 1-0 1
MR 0-1 1
Goals: Zoe Hargreaves (PDS ’18), Lucy Chin (MR ’68)
Assists: Blane McElroy (PDS ’18)