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soccer.tx

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  11. PNG @ LCM 02/05

    in SETXsports Archived Threads

    Posted

    KOGT & The Orange Leader

    The LCM Bears boys' soccer team regained their winning ways with a victory over PNG Indians Tuesday Night at Battlin' Bears Stadium.  The Bears won the shoot-out 2-1 following a 1-1 tie after regulation and two overtime periods.

    The highly contested game demonstrated each team's strong desire to win.  The Bears started the game slowly.  The Indians took advantage of a Bears' defensive breakdown by scoring 25 minutes into the first half.  The Indians enjoyed the one goal advantage at the half's conclusion.

    Hoping to inspire his team, Head Coach Matt Wedel changed several player's positions to start the second half.  "I wanted to shake things up to help the offense", said Coach Wedel.  The strategy worked as the Bears' play surged in the second half.  Senior Jon Lopez scored the Bears lone goal off a rebounded shot with 13 minutes remaining in the game.  Even though the Bears continued a strong offensive attack, they were unable to score again as the second half concluded.

    The Bears strong play was evident during the two scoreless overtime periods.  The Bears' play during the overtime periods "was dominating", according to Coach Wedel.  Senior goalie Ethan McKay made several acrobatic saves.  Senior Jared Fall lead the Bears' defensive efforts.  "Jared played a very good game for us.  He has a real good nose for the ball," observed Wedel.

    The performance in the shoot-out brought the victory to an exhausted Bears team.  McKay  shined by smothering 4 out of 5 of PNG's attempts on goal during the shoot-out.  Sophomore Scott Karasik continued his shoot-out success by scoring on his shot. 

    With the shoot-out tied at 1-1 and the Indians without any remaining kicks, junior Seth Arteaga lined up to kick the Bears last shot. Arteaga described the situation as being "pretty intense.  I knew that I had to come through." Arteaga was up to the task, as he drew the Indians' keeper to him and then drilled his shot down the middle of the goal.  A relieved and tired Arteaga revealed that he was feeling under the weather during the past two days.  But neither sickness nor the Indians goalie could stop the clutch, game winning kick.

    Wedel reflected on the game.  "The whole team played well tonight."  But, the tense game left Wedel tired of the stressful shoot-outs.  "We have to start winning before the shoot-outs", an exasperated Wedel explained. 

    The home crowd and team probably shared Wedel's sentiments.  The hard-fought battle, however, made for a satisfying evening.

    The victory moved the Bears record to 3-1-2 with 13 district points. 

    The Bears travel to Silsbee for another district game on Friday.

  25. Central @ LCM 01/29

    in SETXsports Archived Threads

    Posted

    The LCM Bears boys soccer team continued their winning ways by defeating the Cental Jaguars 3-2 at home in another thrilling overtime contest. The Bears improved their district record to 3-0-1 with 11 points. Seniors Jon Lopez, with two goals, and Craig Leger, with one goal and an assist, were responsible for the Bears' scoring. Goalie Ethan McKay had a clutch stop on a Jaguar penalty kick. Senior Logan Tarver and juniors Brett Heil, Colt Artega, and Seth Artega were defensive standouts.

    The game was a suspenseful nail-bitter for the home crowd. The Bears got off to a shaky start when the Jaguars scored the first goal 15 minutes into the game. The Jaguars scored again with less than ten seconds remaining in the first half for a 2-0 lead.

    Head Coach Matt Wedel gathered his team for a stern halftime discussion. Wedel then directed Leger to speak to the team. "I told the team that we have to pick it up in the next half", said Leger. In the second half, the Bears definitely stepped it up. And, Leger "really shined", said Wedel. "Leger's play was definitely one of his top three performances ever" said Wedel of his all-district co-captain.

    Lopez scored first for the Bears. Gathering the ball on the left wing, Lopez kicked a beautiful floater that curved up and over the goalie from 15 yards out. With approximately 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Leger tied the game with a booming 40-yard goal.

    The Bears needed a clutch play from goalie Ethan McKay to keep the game tied. With approximately three minutes left in the game, the Jaguars earned a penalty kick. The Jaguars all-district captain lined up to take the kick with McKay waiting to defend. The Jaguar captain blasted a shot to his rightt, but McKay quickly pounced on the shot and held the ball. "Ethan made a phenomenal stop," said Wedel, "it saved the game for us." The teams completed regulation play with the score tied at 2-2.

    In overtime, Leger was fouled during a long run near the penalty box. On the free kick, Leger passed the ball to a cutting Lopez, who drilled the ball into the net. The crucial play caught the Jaguars totally off-guard. Leger indicated that play was planned during the heat of the contest. "I lined up for the kick, and Lopez looked at me and nodded, so I just passed the ball to him". The Jaguars' defense seemed surprised by Leger's pass, since he had several strong attacks on goal throughout the game. "It was good planning", said a calmly satisfied Lopez, "Coach has taught us everything" about team play.

    Coach Wedel once again spoke highly of his team's effort. "We proved that we can come from behind and win. We showed that we don't give up. And, we played with class." Wedel was proud that his team kept their composure throughout the highly competative game.

    In junior varsity action, the Bears defeated Central 2-0. Freshmen Hipolito Hernandez and Jordan King scored for the Bears. Junior goalie Greg Gravett earned a shut-out for the Bears.

    On Friday, the Bears travel to Vidor for another district game.

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