Or rather, that’s what Hughesville’s 11 players on the field thought had just happened.

Hughesville bodied a ball that appeared to have crossed the line, but Milton goalie Louis Williams got a hold of it at the last possible moment, preventing the game-winning goal and kept the game going.

That celebration was quickly extinguished at Raymond H. Perritt Stadium as both Milton and the Spartans battled for the remainder of two overtime periods, but neither came away with a game-winning goal. It resulted in an exciting 2-2 double overtime tie between the two.

“Definitely it sucked because I know they were working hard out there too and to have it called back, a bit mentally upsetting,” Hughesville coach Cole Lesher said. “But we have to move on and make the most of the opportunity in front of us.”

Spencer Stine of Hughesville pushes down Aaron Parker of Milton at Hughesville High School Saturday. The teams drew in double overtime, 2-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Neither the Spartans (7-8-1) or Black Panthers (4-8-1) gave up in those final two overtime periods and both continued pressing hard and fighting, hoping to put away a game-winner.

After the first overtime period wrapped up, Hughesville again came out aggressive immediately to begin the second overtime period. That’s where Gormont got inside the 18 and quickly sent a cross to his left just 16 seconds into the second overtime period to Haddon. The Spartan almost was able to get there, but Milton keeper Louis Williams was able to slide and wrangle the loose ball moments before Haddon was able to fire a shot.

That type of play from Williams was key for Milton to stay in the game as he routinely came out for 1-v-1 chances and prevented late goals.

“This is probably his best game. When I played, I was a keeper, and I loved to come out in those 1 on 1s and be aggressive. I’m proud to see him do that. He has me living vicariously, you know?,” Milton coach Ayden Welch said with a laugh. “That was absolutely fantastic.”

Milton nearly put the game away in the second overtime period with 4:37 to play. The Black Panthers’ Tristan Steiner was sent the ball near the 6-yard box on a beautiful cross from a teammate, but the pass was just a hair off and Steiner wasn’t able to get a foot on it as it rolled by him. Had Steiner connected, it would have given Milton the victory late.

Daeus Trager (8) of Hughesville and Aaron Parker (11) of Milton at Hughesville High School Saturday. The teams drew in double overtime, 2-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

That chance was Milton’s only look in the second overtime period. Hughesville possessed well in both 10-minute periods and out-shot Milton in the final two overtime periods, 5-1.

“I was very happy with that, yeah, for sure,” Lesher said of the team’s possessing. “Sure, we’d have liked to see the goal go in, but I do like to see them moving the ball. That’s biggest thing, we have to work as a team and they went out there and did it. I’m proud of them for that.”

Hughesville peppered Milton’s goalie throughout the first 40 minutes of the game, firing nine shots — six on target — including one that hit just off the right post and nearly went in.

In the second half, Milton had a bit more aggressiveness, battling from a one-goal deficit to try and put in a goal. 

“I think we started a little slow and we talked about ‘hey, we seem to be building momentum and settling into the game,'” Welch said. “Lets not let up and continue to build off that and not go backwards.”

Louis Williams of Milton makes a save against Hughesville at Hughesville High School Saturday. The teams drew in double overtime, 2-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Black Panthers built off it as they planned and halfway through the second half, finally struck to tie up the game. With 22:18 to play, Milton’s Tobin Strous got the ball 10 yards out and was able to send a shot to the right for the game-tying goal.

“The big thing we talked about lately is that we walk our own path and how our decisions can really change a lot for us too. At this point in game, it doesn’t matter,” Lesher said. “You can’t change what happened, you have to move forward and take it the best way we can. This is only time we’ll have this group together so we have to make the most of the last opportunities we had. ”

Haddon scores the game’s opening goal 100 seconds into the match for a fast 1-0 Lead. Nine minutes later, the Black Panthers were able to tie it back up. After Royce Gardner kicked a ball out, it was intercepted by Tobin Strouse who was able to get into position and score from just outside the 18 to the far left post to make it a 1-1 game.

Less than a minute later, it was Hughesville which struck again.

Gormont crossed a ball to his left to the feet of Haddon outside the 6. That’s when Haddon quickly fired a shot and sent it in to the left for the 2-1 lead as Hughesville held on the remainder of the first half to keep it scoreless despite a few Milton pressures. Strouse fired on the run from 20 yards out and sent it to the left post, but it was blocked by Gardner.

Carter Gormont (6) of Hughesville and Tristan Steiner (8) of Milton fight for position on the ball at Hughesville High School Saturday. The teams drew in double overtime, 2-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Gardner played well all day in goal.

“Royce, I can’t believe how much he’s improved this season,” Lesher said of his keeper. “I’m so proud of him, I talked to him today about that. He’s really taken something that he was thrown into something and he’s now making the most of it. He’s performing well, made some big saves and he’s been doing that consistently too, so it’s awesome to see.”

Welch knew entering Saturday’s game that the Spartans have speedy forwards such as Haddon and Gormont. Haddon showcased that with numerous balls where he turned his speed on. But the Black Panthers tweaked things on defense to get players in right roles to counter it.

“They certainly have some speedsters up top, it seemed they were trying to find those guys. That’s where most of their game was at. We had to put some of our wingers up there,” Welch said. “Tristan Steiner, he’s got all kinds of wheels. Him and his twin brother Ethan were out outside backs today and they did a good job of locking up all the speed on the outside on their wings.”

Hughesville 2, Milton 2 (2 OT)

Carter Gormont (6) of Hughesville tries to head the ball as Gavin Swanson-Batman (9) of Milton tries to clear it at Hughesville High School Saturday. The teams drew in double overtime, 2-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

H–Sam Haddon, 38:20. M–Tobin Strouse, 31:57. H–Haddon (Carter Gormont), 30:22. M–Strouse, 22:18.

Shots: M 7, H 13. Corners: M 3, H 10. Saves: M 11 (Louis Williams), H 5 (Royce Gardner).

Records: Milton (4-8-1), Hughesville (7-8-1).

Sam Haddon of Hughesville takes a shot on goal past Milton keeper Louis Williams at Hughesville High School Saturday. The teams drew in double overtime, 2-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Sam Haddon of Hughesville scores his first goal against Milton at Hughesville High School Saturday. The teams drew in double overtime, 2-2. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette