Late Goal Lifts Bruin Boys Over Hawks for the Win

September 30, 2022

11 cover — Freshman forward, Neric Garcia, #11, putting the ball in the back of the net for a late Bruin goal.

After picking up a 4-3 win at Illinois Valley and coming off of two tough losses in their past three games, the Bruin boys varsity soccer team hosted the 1-2-1 Rogue Valley Adventist Academy Hawks coming off a 2-2 tie to Illinois Valley Thursday afternoon.

Hayden Rosencrans, #1, getting position to take control of the ball.

The Bruins look to have found some identity now a few weeks into the 2022 season, and the presence and ball control of senior #30, Josh Serna in the Bruin mid-field played a big part of that.

Senior Josh Serna, #30, played a big part in the Bruins time of possession.

The Hawks displayed a disciplined attack and strong defense, and the Bruins worked through the mid-field issues of the past games to take control of the area just in front of their defensive back-line, disrupting the Hawks ability to put together offensive attacks.

The Bruins #12, working the ball across the top of the box.

The Bruin offense would strike first, after sophomore mid-fielder Tanner Anderson, #17 broke away just inside the middle of the penalty box to get a foot on shot that found the right bottom corner of the net, giving the the Bruins a 1-0 lead just 14:00 minutes into the first half.

Tanner Anderson, #17, splitting defenders on his way to get a shot off that would give the Bruins the lead.

The game would turn into a defensive battle in the middle of the field, with neither team getting an open look at the goal and the Bruins would use ball control to maintain possession and take a 1-0 lead into the half-time break.

Junior, Silas Pieper, #6, controlling the pass.

The start of the second half continued between the penalty boxes as both teams worked for opportunities to get their forwards open shots on goal. The Hawks would strike in the 56th minute, on a break away down the left side before the Hawks #14, hit a left footed shot that found the back of the net to tie the game 1-1.

Senior Diego Turner, #8, attacking the goal at the top of the penalty box.

The intensity of the Bruin attack increased as the minutes ticked away. The Hawks feverishly cleared attacks out of play to stop the relentless Bruin attack resulting in throw-ins and set plays for the Bruins to take advantage of in front of the Hawk goal.

Junior mid-fielder, Josiah Shanks-Figueroa, #7, making the pass up the line.

A loose ball in the goalie box in front of the goal would be gathered up and put behind the Hawks keeper by freshman forward Neric Garcia, #11, in the 71st minute, giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead with just minutes left to play.

Senior defender, Michael Goode, #3, stopping a Hawk attack on goal.

After taking the 2-1 win Thursday afternoon, the Bruins now look to avenge a 1-2 loss to Lakeview on the road earlier in the season hosting the Lakeview Honkers at a neutral game site at the Grants Pass fairgrounds in Grants Pass, Monday afternoon at 2:30pm.