Last week the Avery soccer team played a pair of Western Highlands Conference matches. On September 20th, Avery played a talented Polk County Wolverines club to a scoreless tie at MacDonald Stadium, and last Wednesday traveled to Marshall and routed the Patriots by a 6-1 final score.
Monday’s match was a battle of wills between two teams that knew well the opponent’s strengths and tendencies. Avery played a terrific match considering the defeat handed to them by top-ranked Hendersonville on the road in its previous match.
“I expected one of two things from the guys as we prepared for the Polk game: either a defeatist attitude, or a desire to improve and work harder in order to turn things around,” Vikings head soccer coach Tom Evaul said after the match. “The two practices we had after the Hendersonville game went well, with the guys working hard and motivated, so I was optimistic about the remainder of the season.”
Avery weathered a number of offensive storms issued by the Wolverines, as goalkeeper Alex Magner and the Viking defense remained firm and kept Polk off the scoreboard. As well, the Vikings had its own share of chances to draw first blood, but could not tally anything on the Polk visitors.
“Both teams had plenty of opportunities to score with about equal amounts of shots on goal and saves by the two goalies. Toward the end of regulation, Polk had a great moment with several shots on goal inside the six-yard marker, but with a scrappy defense, and a goalie who stayed focused throughout the flurry, we were able to keep the ball out of the back of the net,” Coach Evaul said after the match.
Avery’s best shot at breaking through came near the 78 minute mark, as Daniel Lusk crossed a ball in front of the goal at teammate Jorge Arreola. Arreola’s kick was just a bit too powerful, however, and sailed over the crossbar and kept the match tied, where it would remain through a pair of ten-minute overtime sessions.
“Even though our offense didn’t score, they did play better than they did against Hendersonville, being more patient, passing more and better, and were not intimidated by the Polk attack,” Coach Evaul said. “It was good that the thrashing by Hendersonville did not totally destroy the players’ morale.”
Avery came out on fire in its matchup with the Patriots. The Vikings blasted a pair of shots between the pipes within the first half-dozen minutes of play to take a commanding 2-0 lead. Daniel Lusk scored first off an assist by Jorge Arreola, and then the pair switched roles as Arreola scored off a Lusk assist.
By halftime Avery’s lead had swelled to 6-0, with goals from Heraclio Flores off a Lusk assist, an unassisted goal from Isauro Estrada, another Lusk goal off an Estrada assist, and a goal by Javier Bravo off yet another Lusk assist.
The Vikings faced a number of shots defensively, but more than held its own, turning away shot after shot for the vast majority of the match.
The large halftime margin allowed the Big Red the chance to work on a number of key attacks and strategies in game situations, as well as give valuable minutes to a number of well-deserving reserve players.
“At halftime I told the guys to work for ten minutes not only on their passing game, but their crossing game. I asked for no shots on goal unless the pass came from the corner,” Coach Evaul stated. “At the 10 minute mark, I switched the defense with the offense and let those guys play up for about 10 minutes, then with 20 minutes to go, all the starters were off the field, giving playing time to those who get very little. Obviously we didn’t score in the 2nd half, but scoring was not our objective unless it came from the sides.”
Madison scored its lone goal with just four minutes left when a foul committed by the second string defense resulted in a penalty kick. The Patriots scored a shot past reserve keeper Heraclio Flores for the squad’s lone tally.
“I was real pleased with the way the guys played. They had fun, yet were intense and working their game,” the coach added. “Everybody got a lot of play time, which is important for those that do not get the opportunity to play a lot. Hopefully this momentum will continue to build as we approach the second half of conference play.”
On this week’s docket, the Vikings soccer team hosted Heritage on Monday, September 27th, winning a tough contest by a 2-1 final score. Avery travels to take on the Mitchell Mountaineers on Wednesday, September 29th.
Monday’s match was a battle of wills between two teams that knew well the opponent’s strengths and tendencies. Avery played a terrific match considering the defeat handed to them by top-ranked Hendersonville on the road in its previous match.
“I expected one of two things from the guys as we prepared for the Polk game: either a defeatist attitude, or a desire to improve and work harder in order to turn things around,” Vikings head soccer coach Tom Evaul said after the match. “The two practices we had after the Hendersonville game went well, with the guys working hard and motivated, so I was optimistic about the remainder of the season.”
Avery weathered a number of offensive storms issued by the Wolverines, as goalkeeper Alex Magner and the Viking defense remained firm and kept Polk off the scoreboard. As well, the Vikings had its own share of chances to draw first blood, but could not tally anything on the Polk visitors.
“Both teams had plenty of opportunities to score with about equal amounts of shots on goal and saves by the two goalies. Toward the end of regulation, Polk had a great moment with several shots on goal inside the six-yard marker, but with a scrappy defense, and a goalie who stayed focused throughout the flurry, we were able to keep the ball out of the back of the net,” Coach Evaul said after the match.
Avery’s best shot at breaking through came near the 78 minute mark, as Daniel Lusk crossed a ball in front of the goal at teammate Jorge Arreola. Arreola’s kick was just a bit too powerful, however, and sailed over the crossbar and kept the match tied, where it would remain through a pair of ten-minute overtime sessions.
“Even though our offense didn’t score, they did play better than they did against Hendersonville, being more patient, passing more and better, and were not intimidated by the Polk attack,” Coach Evaul said. “It was good that the thrashing by Hendersonville did not totally destroy the players’ morale.”
Avery came out on fire in its matchup with the Patriots. The Vikings blasted a pair of shots between the pipes within the first half-dozen minutes of play to take a commanding 2-0 lead. Daniel Lusk scored first off an assist by Jorge Arreola, and then the pair switched roles as Arreola scored off a Lusk assist.
By halftime Avery’s lead had swelled to 6-0, with goals from Heraclio Flores off a Lusk assist, an unassisted goal from Isauro Estrada, another Lusk goal off an Estrada assist, and a goal by Javier Bravo off yet another Lusk assist.
The Vikings faced a number of shots defensively, but more than held its own, turning away shot after shot for the vast majority of the match.
The large halftime margin allowed the Big Red the chance to work on a number of key attacks and strategies in game situations, as well as give valuable minutes to a number of well-deserving reserve players.
“At halftime I told the guys to work for ten minutes not only on their passing game, but their crossing game. I asked for no shots on goal unless the pass came from the corner,” Coach Evaul stated. “At the 10 minute mark, I switched the defense with the offense and let those guys play up for about 10 minutes, then with 20 minutes to go, all the starters were off the field, giving playing time to those who get very little. Obviously we didn’t score in the 2nd half, but scoring was not our objective unless it came from the sides.”
Madison scored its lone goal with just four minutes left when a foul committed by the second string defense resulted in a penalty kick. The Patriots scored a shot past reserve keeper Heraclio Flores for the squad’s lone tally.
“I was real pleased with the way the guys played. They had fun, yet were intense and working their game,” the coach added. “Everybody got a lot of play time, which is important for those that do not get the opportunity to play a lot. Hopefully this momentum will continue to build as we approach the second half of conference play.”
On this week’s docket, the Vikings soccer team hosted Heritage on Monday, September 27th, winning a tough contest by a 2-1 final score. Avery travels to take on the Mitchell Mountaineers on Wednesday, September 29th.
