Canes rally in second half to earn draw with Generals

The Cartersville boys soccer team escaped with a 4-4 draw Wednesday night at Heritage-Catoosa following a huge second-half comeback. The Lady Canes did not fair as well in an 8-0 loss.

CARTERSVILLE BOYS 4, HERITAGE CATOOSA 4

Playing the second game of a back-to-back on their schedule Wednesday night, the Cartersville boys were pressured early and found themselves down 4-0 after the first twenty minutes. The Canes started their turnaround at the 30-minute mark, however, when Melvin Velasquez was fouled in the box and converted the first of two penalty kicks on the night. In the second half, Cartersville was the team applying the pressure over the final 40 minutes. A second penalty kick by Velasquez narrowed the Generals' lead to 4-2 at the 68-minute mark. Two minutes later, Edgar Abeja lifted a free kick over the Heritage wall from 25 yards out and beat the keeper to make the score 4-3.

Velasquez capped off the Canes' scoring, and completed his hat trick, in the 78th minute when he flicked a corner from Abeja into the back corner of the net to earn the 4-4 tie. Cartersville (2-1-2) will host Paulding County next Thursday (Feb. 16).

HERITAGE-CATOOSA 8, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 0

The Lady Canes struggled against a strong Lady Generals' side Thursday night and were shut out in Ringgold, 8-0. According to Cartersville coach D.J. Paradis, the Lady Canes had flashes during the game but Heritage-Catoosa (3-0) imposed their will. Cartersville (3-2) entertains Paulding County next Thursday (Feb. 16).