By Eric Lusk
Sports Editor
elusk@elkintribune.com

Juan Lopez got a do-over, and the Starmount forward made the most of it.

The junior scored the game-tying goal against Elkin on a penalty kick with 13 minutes left, then notched the game-winner three minutes later in the Rams’ 4-3 victory Wednesday night at Grissom Stadium.

Lopez initially missed on his PK attempt after getting taking down just inside the Buckin’ Elks penalty box with 14:40 left in the contest. His shot squirted wide left.

But officials ruled that Elkin goalie Alejandro Sanchez had moved forward off his line and gave Lopez another chance. Lopez went for the same corner and this time stuck the ball in the left corner pocket, tying what had been a back-and-forth game that saw both teams take and lose the lead and the momentum.

Juan Morales assisted Lopez’s game-clinching score after Starmount stole possession within Elkin’s defensive half. His hard shot rattled in from about 20 yards away, lifting the Rams’ record to 5-1, 3-1 in the Mountain Valley 1A/2A Conference. “I was pleased to see how we handled being down because the only other time this season we have played from behind was against Forbush,” Starmount coach Dale Draughn said. “In the second half, we turned up our pressure on both defense and offense, and started playing like the team we are.”

Elkin (4-3, 1-2 MVAC) lost for the third time in four tries. But coach Joe McCulloch had a tough time finding fault with his club Wednesday night.

The Elks struggled over the first 25 minutes to find a rhythm and seriously threaten Starmount’s defense, falling behind 1-0 after a Chandler Chappell goal. But Elkin started figuring things out and established itself over the final 10 minutes of the half. Aidan McRitchie converted a pass from teammate Justin Singh into a goal with five seconds left before the break, tying the contest 1-1.

Starmount’s Jose Adame put the Rams back on top with a goal five minutes into the second half. But Elkin answered three minutes later when Joey Shaffer converted a breakaway into a score.

The Elks took a 3-2 lead with 24:50 remaining the contest off a corner kick. Andrew Reece served it up from the right side, and Singh headed the ball into the right corner.

“It hurts to lose after playing so well, but we are not disappointed at all,” McCulloch said. “We told them that it was the best game we’ve played so far.

“Starmount I knew was a great ball club. We’re picking up some strong 2A teams (in our conference) and having to play against them, but I think we held our own tonight.”

The second-chance PK goal seemed to take the wind out of Elkin’s attack somewhat. On penalty kicks, the goalie is allowed to shift from side to side, but he can’t come forward off his line to try and cut down the angle of the shot.

“When I saw the official’s flag, I knew what the call was,” McCulloch said of Lopez’s first attempt. “That’s one of those things where you just have to put it out of the back of your mind. We came back and had some more chances. There was plenty of time left in the game.”

Elkin’s best chance came with the clock ticking under four minutes to go. McRitchie got loose on a breakaway behind the Rams’ defense. But goalie Mason Winfrey raced out and deflected the ball away from the Elkin attacker with his right foot. Starmount nearly added an icing goal on a counterattack right after that play, but Chappell went just wide.

“I was pleased with our overall effort tonight and our team play toward the end of the game,” Draughn said. “We still have some things to work on and correct but we are starting to come together as a team. Elkin played a great game tonight. They are aggressive and physical and well-coached in what they do. I am glad to leave here with a win.”

Starmount is sitting pretty good in the MVAC standings at this point. The lone loss came to Forbush, which is ranked No. 1 in the state. The Rams have wins over Ashe County, East Wilkes and now Elkin.

The good news for the Elks is that, despite having to play eight conference games against 2A schools this season, come playoff time, they’ll be placed in the 1A bracket. The experience of facing tough competition should pay dividends later on.

McCulloch praised the play of defenders Jesus Pinzon and Angel Perez for bringing intensity to the match. He also liked how his fowards, like McRitchie, Singh, Shaffer and others, managed to find ways to pressure Starmount’s defense.

“We don’t have intense speed but we found a way to get back behind their back line with good timing of runs,” the Elkin coach said. “You don’t have to be the fastest person but if you can time your run and get a little momentum and break through ... We had some good linking passes and some good breakaways that way.”

Elkin will play two 1A schools next week, visiting West Wilkes on Tuesday and North Wilkes on Thursday. The Rams go out of conference Monday, traveling to West Davidson. A game at West Wilkes follows on Thursday.