SOCCER SLUMP
February 8, 2017
Spring is on the way, and with that comes many things, including spring sports–more specifically soccer–and the boys started their season last Thursday versus Sonoraville. It was a hard-fought game in harsh conditions. Sonoraville struck first with a header that barely got past the keeper, Josh Graves, who played spectacularly. Later near the end of the first half, the Generals had a chance to claw their way back level. Will Killen had a magisterial run in the eighteen yard box and was tackled viciously; the referee awarded a penalty kick. Denis Viars took the penalty and sent it right at the goalie making the score 1-0 at half. However, confidence was high because they dominated most of the first half, and a goal for the Generals was in the works. But soon, their confidence was dashed as Sonoraville grabbed a second and third goal almost immediately at the start of the second half. Eventually they scored two more slicing through our defense with intricate passing. The score was now 5-0 but our Generals did not lay down and give up. They were rewarded for their endurance with a goal. Junior Denis Viars went on a nice run, and the goalie wrecked him; the referee once again awarded a penalty, but this time Christian Sawyer took the penalty calmly, making the score 5-1, and it stayed that way until the end. Some might consider this disheartening, but I think this can be a catalyst, and we can see our boys get better with each game. This one hurts, but it can only get better, and if they show the same endurance in region games, a state playoff bid is not out of the picture.