MORRISVILLE- Green Hope junior Ryan Konrad did not appear to be destined for a starring role in the Falcons crucial soccer showdown against visiting conference rival Apex on Wednesday night. Konrad, a reserve defender for Green Hope, was on the bench with about four minutes to play and the score tied 2-2.

However, after being inserted into the game, Konrad delivered one of the most important Falcon goals of the season with nine seconds left in the game, giving Green Hope a 3-2 victory over the Cougars. The Falcons (11-1-3 Tri-9) have the inside track on winning the conference, having defeated Apex (11-3) twice this season.

“I was surprised,” said Konrad, who caused a storm the field celebration at Green Hope with his 25-yard kick that bent past a defender and the diving goalkeeper. “It was the greatest feeling to see that ball go in.”

Falcon senior Jared Girard assisted the goal with a perfect pass to Konrad. Girard made the most of Senior Night by scoring the first two Green Hope goals and assisting the game-winner.

“I haven’t scored two goals in a game since I don’t know when,” said Girard, who tied the score 2-2 with 15:39 remaining in the contest. “With what was on the line tonight it doesn’t get much bigger than that.”

Girard, who is considering attending N.C. State, Campbell, or Elon University, was quick to remind that the Falcons still must win next Monday against a competitive Holly Springs team before they can claim a conference title. Apex, which lost to Green Hope 2-0 in September, still has two conference games left.

The score was 2-1 in favor of Apex 12 minutes into the game and remained that way until Girard tied the score with his second goal. Senior Nader Jaibat assisted Girard.

In the first half Cougar sophomore Parker McNeely scored (34:42), then Girard tied the score 1-1 with his first goal (29:25), and finally Apex scored on an “own goal” two minutes after Girard.

Senior Eric Porter played tenacious defense for the Cougars, helping to keep the Falcons scoreless for 55 minutes despite playing much of that time in Apex territory.

Eventually the resilient Falcons broke free.

“We had to win this game, we knew a tie was not sufficient,” said Green Hope head coach Andrew Chadwick. “With about 20 minutes left we went into an attacking format. Jared’s goal was pretty exciting, and I don’t think Ryan will be able to sleep until Saturday.”