Bruin boys varsity soccer and head coach John Silveira ran into a well skilled Marshfield Pirates team Tuesday afternoon, who made the trip from Coos Bay in what would be the Bruins final pre-game match-up of the season before league play begins this Thursday.
Two teams looking to build momentum going into league play, started the game with high energy, and the first half of play was a frantic battle for ball possession as both teams looked to establish their gameplay early.
Much of the first half was a battle of defenses as both teams shortened the field with off-side traps and attempted to beat the other with fast break opportunities both on the ground and over the top, with both teams holding the other scoreless until late in the first half.
With just 8:00 minutes left in the first half, the Pirates would be the first to break through the others defense with a breakaway fast break down the center of the field that the Bruin defense could not run down, giving the Pirates a 0-1 lead at the halftime break.
The Bruins, who looked a step off in the first half with late challenges and errant traps and passes, came out in the second half with a new level of tenacity, challenging the Marshfield players as soon as they gained possession of the ball, forcing mistakes and creating offensive opportunities.
The fast break offense continued for both teams, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. However, the Bruins began to work the ball through the midfield instead of fast break passes from midfield, putting pressure on the Pirates deep in their own end, creating a corner-kick opportunity that find the ball loose in the front of the Pirates goal, that sophomore Christian Baugh, #9, would put behind the Marshfield keeper to tie the score at 1-1.
The rest of the game became a track meet, as both teams pressed each others defenses and scoring opportunities were denied. However, with just seconds left in the game, the Pirates would mount another fast-break attempt from midfield that the Bruin defense could not stop, and the Pirates found the net, to take the late 1-2 win.
The Bruin boys will be on the road this Thursday, traveling to Rogue River to begin league play challenging the Chieftains with kick-off scheduled for 4:00pm.
