The Bruin boys held their first home game of the season Thursday afternoon in head coach John Silveira and the Bruins boys second preseason match-up against the North Valley Knights, who were coming off their second shut out win in preseason play.
Both teams were confident at kick-off to open the game and it transferred into play early on as both teams worked to establish control of mid-field.
The Knights used an off-side trap to shorten the field and keep the speed of Bruin boys forward line from breaking away for one on one opportunities in front of the North Valley goal.
But the Bruin boys attacked and had more goal scoring opportunities in the Knights half of the field putting pressure on the North Valley defense early in first half play before junior, #7, Neric Garcia hammered a loose ball at the top of the box past the North Valley keeper to take a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute.
North Valley opened up their offense after the goal and put pressure on the Bruin defense in transition, forcing themselves in front of the Bruin goal that the Bruin boys would push away, and take a 1-0 lead after the first half of play.
But in the second half, the Knights would continue the pressure, beating the Bruins to the ball and forcing turn overs that would lead to Bruin fouls and the Knights pushing play in front of the Bruins goal.
It would a break down on the left side defensively that would allow a shot inside the penalty box that would get behind the Bruin keeper to tie the game at 1-1 in the 50th minute.
Late challenges and rough play would dominate the game late, intensifying as the games final minutes counted down, but both teams would hold defensively leaving the game a 1-1 tie at the final whistle.
“We’ve been chomping at the bit to get onto the new field,” Bruins head coach John Silveira told the Compass after the game. “and It was a great game from start to finish. The hard work and dedication we’ve seen in practice was on full display and the pressure we put on their defense opened up opportunities for our leading scorer from last season, Neric Garcia, found the back of the net after a great setup.”
The hard work and dedication we’ve seen in practice was on full display. Tanner Nelson and Conrad Watkins controlled the middle with ease, while the pressure we put on their defense opened up opportunities for our offense. Neric Garcia, our leading scorer from last season, found the back of the net after a great setup.
“Coach Ashley Pruitt and I would like to personally thank our community for their continued support and the local businesses who finally made the dream of having a new soccer/football field a reality. Thank you for investing in our community and our children.” – Head Coach John Silveira
The Bruin boys will continue preseason play next Tuesday, taking on Illinois Valley at Bruin stadium with kick-off set for 4:00pm.
