CARY - In a game featuring the intensity of a genuine ?rivalry, nationally-ranked Green Hope needed overtime to turn back previously undefeated Apex 3-2 on Monday night in a Tri-Nine Conference girls soccer match.

Green Hope (9-0, 7-0) not only gave up its first goal of the season but fell behind 2-0 in the second half against the Cougars (5-1-1, 3-1). However, Alexis Degler’s penalty kick six minutes into the first overtime period kept the Falcons unbeaten.

After a 7-1 drubbing of Holly Springs on Wednesday night, Green Hope (10-0, 8-0) is atop the Tri-Nine standings through the first half of the conference season.

“When we went down 2-0, I didn’t know if we had it in us to win. We haven’t been there,” Green Hope coach Bobby Peterson said. “But we told the girls this was a challenge if they were going to be a championship-level team. And they just wouldn’t get beat.”

For a while, it seemed Apex wouldn’t lose. As Peterson said, “Apex came out playing very aggressive and took us out of our game. But we’ve always had tough battles with Apex. Kevin Todd is a phenomenal coach and always comes in with a great game plan.”

Apex took a 1-0 lead with just 10 seconds left in the first half on a penalty kick by Meghan Poirier.

Then, 23 minutes into the second half, Paige Reckert arched in a 30-yard free kick just past the hands of Falcons goalkeeper Lisa Armstrong.

Green Hope toughened up on defense and got its first goal with just over 10 minutes to play. Alexis Shaffer broke away, got past a defender and then shot the ball past Cougars keeper Heather Muller.

Ashley Stokes tied the score five minutes later off a throw-in by Haley Rafols.

After falling behind, the Falcons had to go with one fewer defender, but Armstrong and defenders Rafols, Cameron Sigmon, Cydney Smith, Callie McClain and Amanda Lasater rose to the occasion.

“That second goal for them [the Falcons] ... gave them such momentum,” Todd said. “There was so much emotion and intensity out there on the field, but for the most part we kept our poise.”

“We played well, but sometimes things just don’t go the way want them to go.”

Apex, which won 6-1 against Athens Drive Wednesday, is now 6-1-1 overall and 4-1 in Tri-Nine play.