CARY - Apex's Collin Hardee and Panther Creek's Erik Esposto both wear No. 13 jerseys and both took shots on goal in one of the two 10-minute overtime sessions.

But only one of the shots found the net, allowing that player to lay claim to “Lucky 13” for the night.

Hardee, a junior striker, took a shot from 18 yards out that sliced from right to left before it found the the top left corner of the net for a goal with 5:14 remaining in the first overtime session.

Esposto, a senior striker, had his chance from in front the net with 2:20 to play in the second overtime, but his shot sailed upward just enough that it hit the crossbar and bounded away for an agonizing miss.

Then final two minutes ticked off without a goal as Apex took home 1-0 win Wednesday night in the Tri-Nine Conference match on the Catamounts' field.

"It was perfect placement,” Apex coach Kevin Todd said of Hardee's goal.

With the win, Apex improved to 12-3 overall and 10-1 in Tri-Nine play. The Cougars also gave themselves a chance to avenge their only conference loss of the season and earn a conference co-championship when Apex travels on Monday to Green Hope.

"The seniors stood up tonight,” Todd said. “They knew how important this match was and it spread among the rest of us. It was important from a standpoint that now we have a chance to play for a conference championship.”

Despite a frustrating night for the Cougars against Panther Creek's defensive effort, Hardee said he knew the goal was good after he took a pass from senior Nick Bertaux.

"It was a good pass from Nick,” Hardee said. “I took it out, touched it, cut in and had a rip from the top of the 18. I knew it was a goal as soon as a I shot. I hit the ground and looked up. I was so excited.”

Hardee celebrated Brandi Chastain-style as he pulled his jersey over his head like a mask and ran upfield with his arms pumping as teammates mobbed him.

Panther Creek's loss dropped the Catamounts to 6-7-1 overall and 5-5-1 in the Tri-Nine, but coach David Grant said the night was another sign his team is improving as the playoffs approach. PC sits in fourth place in a conference with five playoff berths.

"We hit a spurt when we weren't playing well,” Grant said. “But now we've got our energy back. We played well tonight all around. Other than finishing and putting the ball in the back of the net, there isn't anything more we have to work on. All the guys I put out there played hard.”

Esposto was nearly disconsolate after the match, falling to the turf and lying on his back when time expired.

"I should have scored,” he said. “I knew I mishit as soon as I hit it. I messed up. I should have put it away.”

Hardee, it turned out, was the one wearing Lucky 13.