The odds seemed to be against the Middle Creek boy’s soccer team all night Thursday as the Mustangs traveled to Apex to take on the reigning conference champions and undefeated Cougars. But despite Apex (3-0-2) controlling the time of possession in the game, and Middle Creek (4-2-1) playing two overtime periods a man down, the Mustangs held on for a 2-2 tie.

“[They were rallying around] each other,” said Middle Creek coach Eddie Wasdell. “And the fact that we had Apex in overtime last year and lost — I think that was motivation for them.”

Though Apex began the game on the attack and possessed the ball consistently in the first half, Middle Creek struck first, as Mustang goalie Addison Maness punted a long ball to junior Matt Frongello, who raced past defenders for a one-on-one opportunity against Apex goalie Ryan Hanson, on which he capitalized.

According to Frongello, the Mustang’s ability to score first boosted the team’s confidence against a “hyped” Apex squad.

“After that [first goal] we settled down a little bit, possessed the ball a lot more, we felt more comfortable,” Frongello said.

Apex quickly showed that they meant business as well. With 12:42 remaining in the first half, Apex junior defender Taylor Welsh scored on a header, as junior Parker McNeely placed a precise lob from the corner to assist the score. Apex coach Kevin Todd said the Cougars responded well to playing from behind, a relatively new phenomenon for his team this season.

“We were down by a goal and came back,” Todd said. “Any time you can be a little resilient like that, because we haven’t been down this season, it’s positive. Being able to come back is something we can take from the game.”

Apex took control in the second half, as Michael Smith ripped a shot from the right side of the field into the left side of the net after controlling a pass from a corner kick. A Mustang comeback seemed highly improbable in the closing moments of regulation, as Chad Gunton received a red card for pulling an Apex player to the ground, forcing his team to play a man down for the remainder of the contest. According to Frongello, Mustangs never lost confidence that they could come back.

“There was little desperation, not too much discouragement though, because we still realized we could play them with a man down,” Frongello said. Yet with just over four minutes left in regulation, the improbable happened as a free kick fell into Frongello’s possession, and again he made Apex pay, as he knocked in a shot off the left post and into the net.

Though Apex went back on the attack for the closing minutes of regulation and had several opportunities and numbers in the two overtime periods, neither team could shake the 2-2 tie.

Todd said the tie was not as much of a let down as it was a testament to Middle Creek’s ability and the strength of the conference. Still, with a late lead and an advantage, he said his team can learn from the missed opportunity to put Middle Creek away.

“If you have lead in the last 10 minutes, you have to literally give everything you have in that last 10 minutes to secure the win,” Todd said. “And playing up a man and not being able to secure the win is disappointing.”