Confusion among on-field calls factors into Lady Trojans’ 2-2 tie with Grafton on Senior Night

New Kent’s Kaitlyn Drake (11) rushes to the ball in an attempt to beat Poquoson’s Libbie Harper (3) and Ashley Groseth.

Robb Johnson photo

Friday night’s Senior Night for New Kent Lady Trojans had drama that would make even the most binge-worthy streaming show jealous. But that drama still came to an end that seems to have no clear conclusion when the final horn sounded.

New Kent’s Lady Trojans played the Poquoson Lady Islanders to a 2-2 tie in the Bay Rivers District affair, bringing their home slate to an end.

Both teams battled back-and-forth for 72 minutes before the first score of the game was registered at the foot of Lady Trojan Kaitlyn Drake. After she had been called for an offside a minute earlier, she bounced back quickly to score and put the hosts up on top 1-0.

That lead didn’t last too long as Poquoson’s Kayla Romine scored less than a minute later on what was considered to be a questionable goal after she had entered into the box. But New Kent saw Senior Kiersten Otey rise up to the challenge with 2:42 left as she netted a goal to bestow a 2-1 advantage for the hosts.

But during stoppage time, a desperation goal from near midfield while the Lady Trojans were at a standstill was deemed good, tying the game up at two apiece. Two scoreless overtime periods resulted in the game concluding in a tie.

After the contest, New Kent Lady Trojans Head Coach Steve Grech said that the emotions of the game can be overwhelming and affect his team.

“The fans and I have all types of say, but the refs have the final say,” he said. “The bottom line is we have to play better and score more.

“Our fans have to calm down a little,” Grech said of the emotional outbursts from the crowd. “It could have cost us the game and it hurts the girls. But overall, they played a hard game and we have to keep pushing things forward.”

New Kent’s Lady Trojans record now stands at 6-7-1.