Oct. 28, 2015
Soccer Team Defeats in District's Game 1
by THS Media Nick Cresswell
It was a cold night at Rockhurst High School, and the stage was set for an enticing match between the Truman Patriots and the Raytown Blue Jays in the first round of their District campaign.
Both teams were very hungry for a win. Truman, having won the previous two games against Raytown this season, were ready to win their third game in succession against the Blue Jays. Raytown, on the other hand, were desperate to make a statement against a well structured team.
The players of both teams, suited up in long sleeves and gloves, were ready for a long and hard match. The referee blew the whistle and the players kicked off; Truman in white, Raytown in blue.
To the Patriots surprise, Raytown came out much stronger than usual. Their main threat, number 23, a fast and powerful striker, nearly found the net within the first few minutes. The Blue Jays went through on the counter attack and nearly pushed the ball beyond senior goalkeeper, Carter Higgins, who eventually saved the ball. The Patriots surrendered two more shots on their goal within the first few minutes but, thanks to strong goalkeeping from Higgins, the game remained scoreless.
The Patriots began to get into their stride later in the first half. Sophomore, Austin Montoya delivered an expertly executed through ball down the wing to junior, Mario Menjivar. Menjivar headed the ball down, dribbled to the byline, and squared the ball to senior, Hans Azuara, who had his shot well saved. Azuara had two more shots in the first half that were well defended by the Blue Jays.
The Patriots finally broke the deadlock after 25 minutes when freshman, Korby Ring, sent senior captain, Christian Villa, a through ball. Villa dribbled wide of the goal and delivered an impossible finish into the near post, beyond the Raytown 'keeper.
"At first I didn't think it went in but once I heard everybody cheer I ran back," Villa said. "It could've been my last game as senior so I just wanted to win at all costs."
The Patriots finally led the contest. All they needed to do now was hold on to their lead. And they did exactly that.
What started as a dominant attacking game from Truman turned into a defensive showdown against the dangerous Blue Jays attack. Head coach of Truman, Jared Byrne, did not hesitate to make subs when needed; he wanted players with the freshest of legs on the team. For the remainder of the game, Truman sat back and defended well for the remainder of the game and, after a long and hard battle, the referee blew the final whistle. The Patriots had done it, they had made it to the District Championships.
Truman had to play the "uglier" side of soccer in a defensive battle against Raytown.
"We did what we had to do to win," Byrne said.
The Patriots will battle the Rockhurst Hawklets on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. in the District Championship.
Both teams were very hungry for a win. Truman, having won the previous two games against Raytown this season, were ready to win their third game in succession against the Blue Jays. Raytown, on the other hand, were desperate to make a statement against a well structured team.
The players of both teams, suited up in long sleeves and gloves, were ready for a long and hard match. The referee blew the whistle and the players kicked off; Truman in white, Raytown in blue.
To the Patriots surprise, Raytown came out much stronger than usual. Their main threat, number 23, a fast and powerful striker, nearly found the net within the first few minutes. The Blue Jays went through on the counter attack and nearly pushed the ball beyond senior goalkeeper, Carter Higgins, who eventually saved the ball. The Patriots surrendered two more shots on their goal within the first few minutes but, thanks to strong goalkeeping from Higgins, the game remained scoreless.
The Patriots began to get into their stride later in the first half. Sophomore, Austin Montoya delivered an expertly executed through ball down the wing to junior, Mario Menjivar. Menjivar headed the ball down, dribbled to the byline, and squared the ball to senior, Hans Azuara, who had his shot well saved. Azuara had two more shots in the first half that were well defended by the Blue Jays.
The Patriots finally broke the deadlock after 25 minutes when freshman, Korby Ring, sent senior captain, Christian Villa, a through ball. Villa dribbled wide of the goal and delivered an impossible finish into the near post, beyond the Raytown 'keeper.
"At first I didn't think it went in but once I heard everybody cheer I ran back," Villa said. "It could've been my last game as senior so I just wanted to win at all costs."
The Patriots finally led the contest. All they needed to do now was hold on to their lead. And they did exactly that.
What started as a dominant attacking game from Truman turned into a defensive showdown against the dangerous Blue Jays attack. Head coach of Truman, Jared Byrne, did not hesitate to make subs when needed; he wanted players with the freshest of legs on the team. For the remainder of the game, Truman sat back and defended well for the remainder of the game and, after a long and hard battle, the referee blew the final whistle. The Patriots had done it, they had made it to the District Championships.
Truman had to play the "uglier" side of soccer in a defensive battle against Raytown.
"We did what we had to do to win," Byrne said.
The Patriots will battle the Rockhurst Hawklets on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. in the District Championship.