APEX, N.C. – Will Melson picked the perfect time to score his only goal on Thursday night.

The Green Level sophomore found the back of the net with 3:41 left to play to complete a thrilling come-from-behind 8-7 win on the road at Apex.

Melson’s tally gave the Gators their only lead of the fourth quarter, and from there, Austin Conway and the defense capped off a dominant second-half performance.

Sam Dickson and Kelan Moore mustered Green Level’s only offense in the opening half. The Gators trailed 2-1 after one and 4-2 at the break.

Green Level pulled even thanks to Zach Ahart and a pair of goals from Harrison Murray.

Apex answered back in the final minute of the third when Porter Batton scored on the man-advantage to send the Cougars into the fourth with a 6-5 lead.

Dickson pulled Green Level even 50 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Brady Massoni gave Apex a 7-6 lead with 7:44 to go, but the Gators responded once more to land the final punches in a heavyweight battle.

With 5:16 remaining, Moore pulled momentum back to the road side with a game-tying goal. Melson followed 90 seconds later with the eventual game-winner.

The Cougars made one final push in the last minute. Caden Gulbransen found a window to get a shot off with six seconds left, but it rang off the right post to seal the win for Green Level.

The Gators have won four straight and are tied for second in the conference with Apex at 7-2. The Cougars took the first meeting in March, 8-7.

Green Level is 9-3 overall, while Apex dropped to 13-2.

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