Islander Posted February 17, 2010 Report Posted February 17, 2010 The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears soccer team battled the district-leading Nederland Bulldogs to a 4-3 overtime loss Tuesday night in Nederland. With the game serving as the end of the first half of district play, the scrappy Bears proved that they are strong enough to compete with any team in the district. And, the undefeated Bulldogs demonstrated why they are a strong favorite to repeat as district champions. Although the wind was not a factor, the game was played on a slippery and muddy field. The thrilling action proved to be entertaining for both sets of fans. And, when the Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead mid-way through the first half, it was clear the remainder of the game was going to be highlighted with intense action. Bears' forward Dylan Cope scored the game's first goal at the 27-minute mark. Cope received the ball near the 40-yard line and bulled his way through a couple of Nederland defenders for another 20 yards. Then, Cope unleashed a powerful shot from the left side. Cope's shot went past the Nederland goalie for a score. Bears Coach Jeremy Watzlavik commented that, "Dylan was at a good angle to shoot at the goal, and he really smoked the ball into the net." The Bears struck again two minutes later. Defender Tommy Jones sent a nicely placed free-kick from 40 yards out to a crowd of Bears in front of the Nederland goal. Garhett Bonneaux's close range shot bounced off the goal post. As the ball was rolling into the goal, Hipolito Hernandez tapped the ball into the goal for a 2-0 Bears lead. Nederland scored their first goal with three minutes remaining in the first half. Bulldogs midfielder Jack Wilson kicked a beautiful shot from 15 yards out. Wilson's shot went perfectly between the out-stretched hands of the Bears' goalie and the back post. Bulldogs Coach Jason Butler commented on the effect of the score. "It was a good goal. We needed the change in momentum to close out the first half." The first half ended with the Bears leading 2-1. Nederland took command of the game in the opening moments of the second half. Jake Kemp scored two goals for the Bulldogs to give them a 3-2 advantage. Kemp's first goal occurred after the ball deflected out of the hands of the Bears' goalie. The Bears did not give up. Later in the half, Jonathan McCollum placed a long throw-in deep into Nederland territory. Bears' wing Fabian Mankat then headed the ball past the Nederland goalie for a score that tied the game a 3-3. The teams battled without any further scores in the second half to send the game into overtime. With two minutes remaining in the first overtime period, Bulldogs forward Hector Garcia received a pass deep in Bear territory. Garcia dribbled around the Bears' defensive line a blasted a close shot from the left side for a 4-3 Bulldog victory. Nederlands Coach Butler commented on his team's play. "I thought we came out sharp, and then we went a little flat. As the game progressed, we started taking advantage of our opportunities." Butler commented that "our hats are off to LC-M. They never gave up." Butler was particularly impressed with Bears goalie, Cristian Diaz. "He made several key stops." Although Bears Coach Watslavik was disappointed with the game's outcome, he was very proud of his teams effort. "They all played their hearts out. They played as well as they could. We were without forward Leo De La Cruz because of an illness. And, when we lost Garhett Bonneaux in the second half with an injury, we were still in the lead. When you lose the heart and soul of your team, you don't know how your team is going to perform. But, our kids played lights out to force the game to overtime", said Watslavik. Watslavik was especially impressed with the play of his stopper, Tanner Crow. "Crow had a good game on the field. But his leadership when Bonneaux was knocked out of the game was phenomenal. He was instrumental in getting his teammates in their proper positions. He kept our team battling. He is quite a competitor." Watslavik was also complimentary of the Bulldogs team. "They are a phenomenal team. I am impressed with their passing. They knew how to take advantage of their opportunities. It would have been nice to win it, but we knew they weren't going to give us many opportunities." Watslavik hopes the game will serve as a confidence builder for his team. "Nederland is a team that nobody was supposed to beat. But, we held our own against them. I hope this game gives our team confidence that we can play with anybody. We are a scrappy team." At the district half way mark, the Bears are in fourth place. On Friday, the Bears travel Beaumont to face the Ozen Panthers.
KFDM COOP Posted February 17, 2010 Report Posted February 17, 2010 http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/sports/local/Nederland_LC-M_battle_on_soccer_field.html
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