SB Soccer: Spartans Fall 3-2 to Rivals BCS

Right off the kick-off, the Spartans applied pressure on the Bears’ defence and were rewarded with significant spells of ball possession and quality passing. However, the early warning signs were there for Stanstead, for when BCS possessed the ball, they quickly played long balls in behind the Spartans line of defenders to use their size, strength and quickness to chase down these balls and direct them on the Stanstead goal as fast as possible. On more than one occasion, BCS threatened Spartan goalkeeper, Grayson L., only for him to turn them away.

 

While Grayson held his ground and did his part to turn good saves into transitional attacking moments, by making good first passes to our defenders, the Spartans’ attack looked dangerous itself. In minute 19, centre-back Noah G’s long, lofted pass beat BCS’s high defensive line and allowed Walker S. to race toward goal and set up Gabe D. for a nice, low finish and put the home team Spartans in the lead 1-0. It didn’t take the Bears long to tie the score, as exactly three minutes later Spartan goalkeeper Grayson made a super initial save, but the Johnny-on-the-spot BCS attacker finished off what should have been a cleared ball from close range. Score was tied, 1-1, at halftime.

 

Shots on goal at halftime were 11-5 in favour of the visitors, who clearly showed more drive and determination to get to and win 50/50 balls and one versus one duels. The mid-game break came at the right moment, and it gave the Spartans not only time to collect their respective breath, but to prepare for the Bears’ energy that was sure to come in the second half. And it did! Two goals in eleven minutes provided BCS with the lead they would not relinquish. The Bears’ second goal was a nice play by their striker, who made a quick movement off the Spartans central defense, he turned with the ball and fired a low drive into the bottom corner. The third BCS goal was one Stanstead would like to have back. First, because the foul conceded was a result of a moment of impatient defending and, secondly, it eluded a good chance to clear the ball.

 

Despite BCS’ two goals and their 3-1 lead, the Spartans continued to apply pressure. It paid off for a hard-working Jack A. in the thirty-sixth minute when he pounced on a loose ball and slotted it home from close range. It was the first of the season and first goal in a Stanstead soccer jersey for rangy striker from Florida.

 

Try as they might, the Spartans ran out of time when the referee blew his whistle to end the contest at the eighty-minute mark. All-in-all, it was a closely contested match between the age-old rivals. The Spartans learned that even though this was their second game in as many days, they still need to show up and play the entire game with the same desperation they showed in the final moments when they were searching for the tying goal. If they can do that in the future, they will enjoy more success. Good learning moments continue for the boys, and they get to put those lessons into practice, when they travel to Galt for the second game of the season series on Monday, September 29.  Final score: BCS 3 – Stanstead 1.