By SARAH COCHRAN, for the Brown County Democrat
The Brown County Eagles almost let a three-point lead slip away in the final minutes of their match. But the boys soccer team fought hard at Eagle Park to win their first conference match by one goal against Cascade High School.
The first half of the Aug. 26 game ended with the Eagles ahead 1-0.
With 14 minutes left on the clock, the spread had increased to 3-0. However, a corner kick and goal by Cascade and then a conceded penalty by Brown County quickly brought the game much closer.
With 3-2 on the scoreboard and 8:17 left in the match, the Eagles began showing signs of panic, but they managed to hold the Cascade Cadets away from their goal and secure the win.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Senior Will Ryan was happy with the win, but he also talked about the areas he would like to see his team improve to ensure a winning season.
“(Coach Erich Nolan) has been my coach for all four years and he has told us the same stuff, every year. We have never been able to fix those problems; but I think, this year, if we can stop panicking on the ball, dribbling too much, and giving away the ball, then we will do really well,” he said.
Nolan agreed.
“We have this tendency to get a little tired and make mistakes. I really stress to the boys that no matter what the situation is, it’s never going to help you to panic. You’ve got to keep your head; you’ve got to keep composed,” he said.
Freshman Jake Huddleston, at goalie, followed Nolan’s guidance during the match.
“It’s good to see Jake make some reaction saves. He kept us ahead, and that’s so important,” Nolan said.
Huddleston’s seven saves would have made him the match’s MVP, if they had one.
“There was not much he could do on either of the goals (Cascade) scored, but he did a really good job all of the times he was called into action. I am really proud of him,” Nolan said. “Seeing a freshman step up like that is a pretty big deal.”
Will Normile, Curtis Higgins and Landon Cambridge all scored goals, with Cambridge and Logan Fittz tallying assists.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”MEET THE EAGLES” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Landon Cambridge (senior), Matt Chaiyasit (senior), Logan Fittz (senior), Curtis Higgins (senior), Jake Huddleston (freshman), Logan Huddleston (freshman), Logan Imming (sophomore), Aiden Johnson (junior), Whitten Keith (junior), Will Normile (sophomore), Cameron Payne (freshman), Nick Ponzo (freshman), Chris Ratzburg (junior), Jeffrey Reynolds (junior), Will Ryan (senior), Ben Rygiel (senior), Ricky Stanley (freshman), Kyle Spires (senior), Zach Spires (freshman), Ty Wesley (freshman), Caleb Yager (sophomore)
Managers: Jadan Ercoli and Greta Johnson
Head Coach: Erich Nolan
Assistant Coach: Joey Grissom
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”NEXT UP” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Tuesday, Sept. 5 at Greenwood Community High School, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 6 at home against Trinity Lutheran High School, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 7 at home against Morristown High School, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 9 at Owen Valley High School, 11 a.m.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
