B–C’s Juan Flores clears the ball in front of Christ Church’s Cole Seller. It was the 65th minute, the Brookland– Cayce Bearcats were down 1–0 to Christ Church Thursday April 8, in their second game of the Palmetto Cup. Senior captain Taylor Lewis was presented with an opportunity to tie the game when he received the ball near the top of the penalty box.

“When it popped out, you just keep your fingers crossed because good things are going to happen,” Brookland– Cayce head soccer coach Kevin Heise said.

Indeed good things did happen as Lewis scored to tie the game at 1–1. The game ended in a tie, but it provided Brookland– Cayce four points, when a loss would net zero points and would have eliminated them from a shot at the semifinal round on Saturday.

“He made it count. For us to come out here with a draw is a fair result,” Heise said.

Lewis’s goal in the 65th minute was one of the few bright spots for the Bearcat offense, which for the second straight game struggled to generate many goals despite numerous opportunities.

In the 41st minute, a header from Thomas Harris missed just left of the goal. In the 50th minute, Jose Rojas’s shot attempt sailed over the goal.

Despite the offensive struggles, the Bearcat defense only allowed one goal for the second straight game. Heise says it’s his two seniors, sweeper Greg Stone and goal keeper Chris Duzan, who keep the defense together.

“They are our anchors.”

Heise doesn’t just give the credit to the two seniors for his defense being as imposing as it’s been throughout this tournament.

“We’re getting good play from Jalin Butler. All the way around our defense has been the key going into the tournament. Slowly, we’ve jelled as a unit, and in high school soccer if you give up a goal every game you’re in every game.”

The tie gives Brookland– Cayce four points for the game for a total of 12 points so far for the tournament heading into Friday’s match up with Bishop England, which should determine who wins Group A and advances to the semifinal round on Saturday.