Boys...Nederland 3 LC-M 1

[KFDM COOP]

Nederland boys 3-1 over LC-M

[bullets13]

nice win for nederville.

[Guest setxgal]

nice win for nederville.

Hey!!! I thought only those that bled Black and Gold could call it that!?!?

[Islander]

District play began in a disappointing way for the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears boys soccer team as they lost 3-1 to the Nederland Bulldogs on Tuesday night in Nederland.  The highly anticipated game matched two of the district’s top teams in a contest that was much closer than the 3-1 score indicated.  Bears Coach Matt Wedel commented that “the Bulldogs are a good team, but the score was not representative of how close the game was.â€

Both teams played well in a game that was marred by a strong wind that hampered each team’s ability to launch their offensive attack.  Eventually, the game was decided by a few pivotal plays that went in the Bulldogs’ favor. 

The Bulldogs played with the wind in the first half.  Controlling the action, the Bulldogs kept the ball on their offensive side of the field while out shooting the Bears 10-3.  The Bears defense was up to the challenge and did a solid job of keeping the game scoreless until the final three minutes of the half.  At that time, the Bulldogs earned a free kick from thirty-yard out.  Junior Hector Garcia kicked the ball to the right side of the goal.  Jordan Landry corralled the rebound and scored a goal for the Bulldogs.  The half ended with the Bulldogs leading 1-0.

Playing with the wind in the second half allowed the Bears to assert their offensive game.  Six minutes into the second half, T.C. Scalfano took possession of the ball in front of the goal against a swarming Bulldog defense.  Scalfano tied the score at 1-1 when he patiently powered his way to a close-range shot that ended up in the back of the net.  “T.C.’s shot was prettyâ€, observed Wedel.

“I thought that we had the momentum at that pointâ€, said Wedel.  The Bears attempted 15 shots in the second half to only 3 by the Bulldogs.  But, the Bulldogs’ strong defense shut down the Bears for the remainder of the game. 

At the fifty-seven minute mark, the wind blew at the right time for the Bulldogs.  As the Bears defense attempted to clear the ball in front of their goal, a gust of wind changed the direction of the ball and back into the Bears goal.  “The ball was headed for the sidelines when the wind blew the ball back into our goal†said Wedel.  The own goal gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.  Four minutes later, Jake Kemp made an impressive drive past a defender to score the Bulldog’s final score.

Wedel was pleased with his team’s play.  “We had good ball movement.  The whole team played well.  We made two mistakes on the back line, but overall the defense held strongâ€, noted Wedel.  The Bears’ backline was led by Colt Arteaga along with Brett Heil and Darrell Lawrence. 

Wedel believed that midfielders Vance Foster and Garhett Bonneaux turned in particularly strong performances.  “Those guys in the middle really played wellâ€, Wedel said of Foster and Bonneaux.  Bulldogs Coach Rob Bledsoe concurred with Wedel’s assessment.  “The Bears controlled the center of the field.  LCM was the aggressor.  They caused us to play tentatively and prevented us from passing like we normally do.â€

The Bears’ loss was particularly frustrating when one considers the several near misses throughout the game.  Tommy Jones kicked a lengthy thirty-yard goal attempt that bounced off the upper crossbar.  Bonneaux also kicked another long shot attempt that barely curved outside the goal.  And, Scalfano had another near miss.

The Bears will attempt to even their district record on Friday at 7:00 when they host Ozen at Battlin’ Bear Stadium.                       

[Solo]

Islander, you make me feel like I'm at the game.  Great write-up.