Ok...here we go.

I have to first say I was dissapointed in NW, not because I thought they played bad or disrespect intended, but because they did not live up to the pre-game hype...and note...IN MY MIND. I honestly did not know what I was expecting to see.

I thought the game was very even, probably more even than NW expected. NW had the edge of play in the first half and Lex had the edge in the second. Lex's game revolved around the midfield, and in my opinion lex midfield had the better part of the game. NW are just huge, reminiscent of Dreher (which ironically beat them).

I honestly got lost within the game and would be unable to give you a blow by blow or stats. I cannot say however that NW had 2 times the number of chances. Both teams had many opportunities and many of NW came in the last 15 when Lex had already committed to the attack for the equalizer. Paul Fisher's volley that skim of the post late in the game was the equalizer that did not come. Chavarria's volley was indeed a beautiful attempt that sailed just high as was Enzo's shot skimming of the crossbar.

So how would I play NW, 3-5-2 as Lex played. Man mark Enzo and Kropp. NW tries to get the ball to them to take players on - if they have no time they cannot do damage. Note here... in my opinion Lex has one of the best midfields in the state and you must have this quality against NW, otherwise they will kill you in the build up. And lastly Lex forwards both sophomores and same with the 3rd late in the game, they will only get better, they caused all kinds of problems in NWs defense because of their work rate.

The winning goal - late in the first half, is the stuff of cliches. You never want to concede a goal before halftime. In this case I thought the error was on the Gk not coming for the ball (20/20 hindsight). Otherwise he was solid the remainder of the game.

Both teams sub sparingly.

Lex loses 6 seniors (3 starters), NW loses 14 (7 starters). The future is bright for Lex but is no consolation today. The players came of the field believing they could have done better, that is the only thing you can ask of a young man after leaving everything on the pitch.

The crowd was unbelievable for both teams, and the running of the flags after the goal a fun thing to watch. Some NW fans (younger ones) were somewhat disrespectful but to me was part of the exhuberance, I hope in the future they would be more mature. The ballboys/girls where doing a good job and did not diserve being put down, they were kids. Otherwise a great crowd that had the players pumped from the beginning.

Good luck to NW the rest of the way, I have not seen Mauldin this season. They got pass a 10 men South Aiken on a pk, and beat Fort Mill at FM so I have no idea what they will bring. The game will be played in Mauldin as both are #2s.

Benp appears to know more and may offer more insight

To newcastlemagpie... I don't think that Jess was trying to injure anyone. He plays hard from the first whistle and the proof is that never once did the ref show him the yellow. Enzo on the other hand is very skilled at gaining fouls were none are there. Nothing wrong with it as it is part of the game and the ref is supposed to know the difference (as he did twice on Enzo during the game). Good Luck in Mauldin.