If there’s a “clutch” gene, it’s safe to say Joel Fleek was born with it.
The senior showed his flair for the dramatic Tuesday night, scoring a free kick in the dying seconds to complete May River’s 3-2 comeback win at Hilton Head High.
“I’m used to it, at this point. I’m always scoring game-winners,” Fleek said.
He has now scored four goals in as many games this season, proving to be quite the piece for the Sharks as they begin their Class 3A title defense.
Both squads traded goals early, as Hilton Head’s Ivan Ramirez drilled a beautiful strike to the top right corner in the fourth minute followed by a Fleek tap-in from Connor Golden just a minute later after a scramble for possession in the Seahawk box.
Hilton Head continued the offensive pressure in the first half and was rewarded. A deflection off a Shark into the back of the net in the 28th minute gave the Seahawks the lead into halftime.
But the Sharks were far from done. They showed some urgency at the beginning of the second half and created a heap of chances, but the Seahawks hovering back on defense were weathering the storm. That all changed when a penalty gave the Sharks an opportunity to alter the script, and Zeke Chappelear delivered in the 68th minute to level the match.
“It was tough at some times tonight,” Fleek said. “Hilton Head has a really good team and they had the better hand, but in the second half we started to play our game and things really started going from there.”
Just when it started looking like a stalemate, Fleek stepped up and called game, pocketing a free kick inside the far post in the 80th minute for his second goal of the game and most importantly the winner.
Despite a pair of goals allowed, the Sharks were quite diligent on defense for the majority of the night, allowing just two shots on goal and none on target in the second half, striking down any counterattack possibilities when they needed an equalizer. Matthew Turner picked up a save in net for the Sharks.
“We played a great team tonight,” Fleek said, “and it’s a constant learning experience as we try to get another state title.”
UP NEXT
May River (3-1) travels to Beaufort High at 7 p.m. Thursday.
HHIHS (0-1) hosts South Effingham at 7 p.m. Friday.
Story by Wes Kerr
Nice write up.