By Cort Reynolds
Ada tied visiting Bath 3-3 in an exciting non-league boys soccer opener on a warm Wednesday evening on the synthetic turf at War Memorial Stadium.
Ada senior Carter Conley tallied the game's first goal.
The Wildcats tied it 1-1 on a long free kick that sailed into the corner of the goal with 44 seconds to go in the first half.
But Bulldog junior Carson Gossard untied it by booting a left-footed shot into the net with just seven ticks remaining in the half to give Ada the lead back.
The Bulldogs led 2-1 at halftime, but Bath took their first lead with two goals.
Ada ace Logan Jolliff knotted it up 3-3 on a goal with about 15 minutes left to play.
"It was a dogfight back and forth, fun to watch but also why I don't have hair anymore," said veteran Ada head coach Jason Okuly.
The final 14 minutes saw both teams just miss on multiple solid scoring opportunities.
Bulldog keeper Colton Long made a save on a long kick with 10:40 left to play. Conley put a shot on goal that Bath saved with 10 minutes to go.
A Wildcat header off a direct kick sailed wide at the 7:15 mark. Bath nearly scored at the 6:50 juncture but the Ada defense thwarted the effort in front of the net.
Another Wildcat header off a direct kick went wide with 5:18 left. Long then made a save 11 seconds later to keep the score tied.
Conley stole the ball deep in Bath territory, but his hurried shot twisted wide of the goal with 4:36 to play. Bath fired a shot well over the goal at the 2:46 mark.
Long made another save with 1:38 remaining to play. Conley got off another shot that was stopped with 62 ticks to go.
With time running out, Conley ran up on a long through ball. But the Wildcat keeper came off his line to smother the loose ball with a sliding save before the Bulldog senior could get off a shot as time literally expired.
"I am proud the players never gave up," said Okuly.
Sophomore Jolliff tallied one goal and one assist. Conley and Gosaard each netted one goal. Gabe Blankenship added one assist.
Long was credited with 10 saves in goal.
Ada hosts NCOSA foe Tiffin Columbian at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night, August 20.
