The teams’ rematch on Oct. 4 was a much different story.

This time, Apex needed all 20 minutes of an overtime period to come away with a defense-dominated 2-1 victory over Athens Drive.

“Both defenses played pretty well,” Apex senior forward T.J. Beaulieu said. “It was tough to get by their back door. They played really well.”

Apex (10-1-2) scored first on senior midfielder Drew Gardner’s goal early in the first half. The score remained 1-0 until Athens Drive (6-7-1) tied the score on Drew McKinney’s goal with just four minutes left in regulation.

Apex coach Kevin Todd said his team appeared to get complacent in the second half.

“We were probably in more of a defensive mindset,” Todd said. “We learned a little lesson about trying to protect the lead. We’re up 1-0 and there’s 10 minutes to go. And it seemed like as if we were in a more we-don’t-want-to- lose mindset as opposed to a we’re-going-to-go-out-and-win mindset. And that’s something we talked about and we will talk about.”

Apex senior midfielder Brooks Teal said the team’s mindset was wrong from the beginning.

“We didn’t come out prepared,” Teal said. “We got caught up into not doing our thing and we played like individuals. When we play as a team we’re a lot better.”

The overtime periods were much of the same — all defense and very few scoring opportunities until near the end of the second 10-minute period.

Apex put the ball in the net twice in the waning moments of the game, but had both scores disallowed due to penalties.

“That last overtime [period] we were just attacking them the whole time,” Beaulieu said.

But with under a minute remaining in the game, Teal broke the tie with a goal that snuck into the top of the net from 20 yards.

Teal said the team ran a set play knowing there was little time remaining in the game.

“We all wanted it a lot in the second overtime,” Teal said. “And we kept getting chances and I just put the baby in the basket. It was the first time we released the ‘Spaceship’ play and we scored a goal.”

Despite the loss, Athens Drive coach Chris Barefoot said he was proud of the way his team competed.

“They showed lots of heart,” said Barefoot of his team. “It’s what we’ve been talking about. We lost 5-1 to Green Hope, but we had some moments and kind of got swept away. And we talked tonight about leaving it all on the field.”

Barefoot added that the rivalry atmosphere of a conference game seemed to motivate the team.

“In the past we’ve had some really tough matches,” Barefoot said. “And Apex has a solid squad this year and is definitely the favorite to win the state championship.

“So would it be a rivalry this year? On paper we probably shouldn’t compete with them. But we showed a lot of heart.”