SB Soccer: Spartans Drop Season Opener to Vikings

 

Right off the kickoff, the Vikings played a ball deep into the Spartans end of the field, and that’s exactly where it stayed for the next two minutes until, unfortunately, Stanstead picked the ball out of their net, giving MVR the 1-0 lead. MVR continued to apply significant pressure on their visitors, and this paid dividends as they scored successive goals in minutes 13, 21 and 22, to stake a 4-0 lead. After the MVR fourth goal, the Spartans regained their composure and started to play the ball on the ground, connecting passes, and initiating play in the Vikings’ end of the field. In minute 25, Henry’s throw-in found Anton wide open in the middle of the field and just inside the Vikings’ 18-yard box. Anton’s left footed drive into the bottom right-hand corner made the score 4-1. Just when it looked like Stanstead would capitalize again, a defensive miscue led to another Vikings goal just before halftime.

Down 5-1 at halftime would be enough for most players and teams to recognize that the game was essentially done and dusted with forty minutes still to play. However, Spartan spirits remained high, and the players still believed that they could scratch and claw their way back into the match. And that’s exactly what they did. A little reorganization, a good pep talk, and instilled with the encouragement to play with more confidence, our boys went out and dominated the second half. Two goals in minutes 48 and 60, both by Liam S and both assisted by Anton, provided the Spartans with a sense of optimism that if we were to sneak in a fourth goal, then perhaps a tie or even a win were still possible. Try as we could, and we created two to three excellent chances in the process, the comeback fell short in the end. Our Spartans deserve a ton of credit for their second half performance and dictating the play.

Our first game of the season, exhibition or otherwise, revealed a couple of obvious points. First, it would take us a half or even the entire game to become somewhat comfortable playing with each other and that there was a lot to improve upon. Secondly, when it looked like we were down and out of it, our Spartans dug in and displayed great character and resilience in forging a comeback. Scoring two second-half goals and conceding none underscored just how quickly our guys came together as a team, and it showed how the returning players from the 2024 ETIAC league and playoff championship team would not go down without a fight. Moving forward, we have a lot of work to do, but we are dialed into the process and ready to get down to business. Without a doubt we will see a different Spartan outfit and effort in game two.

The Spartans are eager to get back on the pitch again as we host Galt this Tuesday, September 23 at 4:15pm and BCS on Wednesday at 3:00pm on the beautiful campus of Stanstead College.