APA’s Gisell Cervantes looks to make a play during the Patriots’ game against Cary Christian Tuesday. Photo by Lee Ann Thomas / Special to Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Arendell Parrott Academy’s regular-season goal is still within reach, but adversity struck Tuesday.

The Patriots fell to Cary Christian 5-2 as the Knights got a measure of revenge and ended Parrott’s 7-game winning streak. On April 10, APA (10-2) won 6-5, as the Patriots took their only lead in the 77th minute on a goal by Gisell Cervantes. Nearly two weeks later, the Knights (7-3) took an early lead and extended it.

“We were able to make some defensive stops and got in front of their forwards,” Cary Christian coach Brian Twidt said. “We also talked about winning the balls out of the air and stretching the field a little more. We were able to get a couple of goals early and made the necessary plays.”

Cary Christian opened up the scoring in the 20th minute when Macey Vanek scored on a rebound. Parrott tried to counter five minutes later, but Megan Blair’s shot hit the crossbar and gave the Knights a break. Just before the first half ended, Ashtyn Kelly’s scored to put Cary Christian ahead 2-0.

APA came back in the 43rd minute with a Kaitlyn Iannace goal to cut the deficit in half, but Emma Grace Stopper’s goal in the 50th minute, followed by two from Kelly in the 54th and 68th minute gave the Knights an insurmountable lead.

“We focused on passing the ball more and being more crisp,” Kelly said. “On defense, we played great and it led to better opportunities on offense.”

The Patriots narrowed the gap in the 77th minute when Alex Melk found Sophia Melk for a goal.

Despite the loss, APA coach Shivar Person said there were some positives to take.

“We won’t make any excuses during a loss — we played a very good team in Cary Christian and we had a great back and forth with them last game,” Person said. “We missed a couple of close shots and the injury bug hit us — at one point we had five starters out in this game — but I can’t complain or take anything away from (the Knights).

“We’re still two conference wins away from being co-champions in the conference, which is something our girls’ program has never done. We’ve got to practice, prepare for St. David’s on the road Thursday, then Grace Christian (April 30) at home. Before we can start thinking about the playoffs, we want to achieve this goal first.”