Bruin boys varsity soccer was in action Thursday afternoon, coming off a two game win streak in league play, taking on the St. Mary’s Crusaders, who made the trip to Brookings coming off a two game win streak of their own.
With both teams playing to remain undefeated in league play, pressure was on both teams to secure a win Thursday afternoon and it showed on the field as both defenses dropped into an off-side trap defense to shorten the field, making midfield play concentrated and technical.
Ball possession became very important as both teams struggled early to find their way through each others defenses and it would take almost 15 minutes into the first half for the Crusaders to start the scoring on a fast break goal opportunity, to take a 0-1 lead at the 26:00 minute mark of the first half.
Now with the lead, the Crusaders then dropped out of their trap defense, continuing to keep the field short and forcing ball control and possessions to build up an offensive attack and shutting down Bruin fast break opportunities with a sweeper, limiting Bruin shooting opportunities.
As the Bruin offense pressed forward, the Crusaders organized behind the Bruin midfield and broke through on another fast break opportunity, putting the ball in the back of the net to take a 0-2 lead into the halftime break.
In the second half of play, the Bruins held their own on effort and hustle, but the compressed field game plan of the Crusaders frustrated the Bruins as St. Mary’s filled the passing lanes and challenged Bruin possessions relentlessly, keeping them from coordinating an offensive attack limiting Bruin shot opportunities.
The Crusaders would then score extending their lead at the 61st minute mark, to take the win the 0-3 win back to Medford.
The Bruins will see action again this weekend in a non-league match up against the Eagle Point Eagles who will make the trip to the coast for a rare Saturday afternoon 3:00pm kick-off.
