Mustangs 1 – Panthers 0

November 4, 2006 - The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Both Myers Park and Providence felt they should not be playing an opponent in their own conference so early in the playoffs, but you play the cards you’re dealt! Both teams were determined; both knew what was at stake. Win this one game and you advance; lose and the season becomes history.

The Mustangs are shooting like crazy and are confident, but they know shots on goal don’t mean a thing if the ball doesn’t find its way home. Finally, after 22 minutes of play, McLean McGarry sends a ball to the feet of PJ Henson. PJ, taking advantage of the opportunity, hits the nail on the head and sends the ball to the back of the net. The fans go wild and are able to take their first breath of the night. The half ends with the Mustangs up 1-0.

Providence comes out with renewed determination, but this determination is seen as amplified aggression and results in a red card. The Panthers don’t give up and when the Providence goalie blocks a “sure thing” Myers Park PK opportunity, they pour it on. Although it’s a great effort, it simply is not enough as Myers Park is even more determined and continues to control the action. While Myers Park out shoots Providence by more than 2-to-1, the game ball of the night goes to keeper John Robert Plyler. When you look for qualities you want in a keeper, it comes down to one that is more important than any other. Can he keep the ball for crossing the line? You bet ‘ya. John Robert was brilliant!

Final Score: Myers Park 1 – Providence 0

Mustangs 8 - East Burke 0
NCHSAA Playoffs 1st Round
November 1, 2006 - You could feel the excitement in the air.  First playoff round of 2006 with a do-or-die climb to the finals gets under way on a balmy night at Gus Purcell Stadium.  Teresa Woods announced the starting line up:  Keeper John Robert Plyler; Defenders Bailey Chambers, Mark Rapisardo, Daniel Kelley and Daniel Hunt; Midfielders Reid Phillips, Conner Holzinger, Adam Fisher and Travis Cook; and Forwards Will Buie and PJ Henson.  Let the games begin! 

Mustang fans are excited as their team is shooting fast and furious.  But with 28 shots on goal in the first half alone, the Mustangs can’t quite seem to capitalize on their opportunities.  Finally, with a little more than 20 minutes left in the half, Reid Phillips sends a deflected ball sailing past the East Burke keeper to take the Mustangs up by 1.  Less than 5 minutes later, Conner Holzinger passes a beauty to McLean McGarry and McLean takes the Mustangs up 2-0 going into the half.  The dynamic defense holds East Burke to three shots on goal the entire first half. 

Myers Park has less shots on goal the second half but shooting percentage improves.  Three minutes into the half, Reid Phillips takes a corner kick and Travis Cook, showing his mathematical genius, calculates the perfect placement to beat the East Burke keeper.  Mustangs 3 – East Burke 0.  The Mustangs have another corner opportunity and PJ “Bend it like Beckham” Henson’s shot is too hot to handle for the East Burke keeper.  At first it appears the keeper has it, but the heat on the ball is too hot to handle and he drops it.  McLean McGarry, always the opportunist, doesn’t give him another chance to pick it up.  GOAL!  Mustangs 4 – East Burke 0. 

Understandably, frustration is beginning to set in for the East Burke squad and it results in a red card.  Not wanting to lose their momentum, Reid Phillips sends a ball to PJ Henson and after “doing the nutmeg,” PJ sends the ball home.  Mustangs go up by 5.  Bailey Chambers wants a piece of the action as well and completely bypasses the midfield to find forward Will Buie.  Will’s precision shot places the ball beyond the reach of the keeper to give the Mustangs 6 goals.  Coach McCarley substitutes his keeper and Matt Norchi comes in for John Robert Plyler.  Myers Park is given a free kick and Conner Holzinger steps up to the plate and serves it up.  Fans watch as the ball ends up in the back of the net.  Well, that worked!  Mustangs 7 – East Burke.  The final goal of the evening came from a great pass from Daniel “Solid as a Rock” Kelley to Jordan Debastani who sends the ball home.  Final Score:  Mustangs 8 – East Burke.

The Mustangs will meet Providence in Round 2 of the playoffs Saturday night, November 4.