Head Coach Jess Beaman and his undefeated varsity boys soccer team hosted the Umpqua Valley Christian Monarchs in a rematch from earlier in the season. The Monarchs made the long trip from Roseburg and had a lot of time to ponder their only loss of the 2019 season at the hands of the Bruins.
With a bit of a chip on their shoulder and a lot of determination the Monarchs were on a mission to return the favor, and hand the Bruins their first loss of the season evening the standings in 3A/2A/1A-SD4 Special District 4.
The game was a defensive battle with great goalkeeping from Monarch keeper Sam Guastaferro. His excellent play kept the Monarchs in the game with several outstanding saves, handing the potent Bruin offense a clean sheet in the first half of play.
The Bruin defense was as solid as ever, allowing few shots on goal for Bruin keeper Juan Hernandez to worry about. But as the clock ran down it was clear that with score sitting at 0-0, it would be one mistake that would be the difference between a win or a loss.
Both teams began to press in the second half as confidence grew with the Monarchs the longer the game stayed close, and the Bruins pressed as time went by without a Bruin goal.
And then, half way through the second half, the Bruins struck off of a cross from forward Rylan Bruce #5 that midfielder Josh Serna #8 ripped into the back of the net off the full volley putting the Bruins up 1-0.
A frantic attack by the Monarchs would be turned away by the Bruin defense who continued to attack off of the Monarch pressure. The final minutes of the game were a passing game in the middle of the field until the Bruins struck again late when Kallen Christensen #15 found the back of the net with just minutes left in the game giving the Bruins the 2-0 win.
The Bruins will take on the 3-5-1 Glide Wildcats on the road next Tuesday at 4:00pm.
