LC-M vs. Ozen

[Islander]

The Little Cypress Bears boys soccer team defended their home turf Friday night at Battlin’ Bear Stadium by cruising to a 4-0 district win over the Ozen Panthers.  Seth Arteaga paced the Bears with two goals.  Garhett Bonneaux added a goal and an assist, while Vance Foster scored the game’s first goal.   

“We took care of business tonight,†said Bears Coach Matt Wedel of his team’s victory over an improving Panther squad.  The Bears, who outshot their opponent by a 26 to 4 margin, “played well,†according to Wedel.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

The Bears ability to control the game allowed Wedel to play the entire team.  “It’s good to play the whole team and get lots of shots from multiple players.  We were able to mix up the roster and get some different looks from our guys.  This was a team effort.†

Ozen attempted to keep the game close by packing several defenders in front of their goal.  The game’s first goal occurred at the thirteen minute mark when Foster converted a rebound into a close-range goal. 

Eight minutes later, Seth Arteaga received a long-through ball from Bonneaux.  Arteaga dribbled past a charging goalie and then kicked a shot into another Panther defender.  The shot had enough momentum to drift into the goal for a 2-0 Bears lead.

Arteaga was on the attack again less than two minutes later.  Tommy Jones earned an assist when he delivered a nice pass to Arteaga near the twenty yard line.  Arteaga then drilled the ball into the back of the net.

The Bears led 3-0 at the end of the first half. 

Bonneaux’s goal occurred at the 45 minute after the Bears placed heavy pressure on the Ozen goalie.  When the goalie moved away from the goal, Bonneaux slipped behind him for an open goal and a 4-0 final score.   

Although Wedel was pleased with the game’s outcome, “there are some areas that we need to improve.  We have the potential to be a good team, but we are going to have to keep working at it.†

Looking ahead to next week’s games, the Bears continue their district schedule.  “Next week is huge.  We travel to PNG on Tuesday and host Central on Friday.† To stay in the hunt for the district championship, the Bears will need to keep on “taking care of businessâ€.