The Brookings-Harbor Boys Varsity team has enjoyed a season with few challenges, but that would end Thursday afternoon at the Bruins home field.
Past games this season have seen some tough situations, and in every game, the Bruins have found a way to rise to the challenge and overcome.
The North Bend Bulldogs rolled into town with determination on Thursday, a determination to be the team to put the blemish on a Bruin perfect record.
The match was billed as the match of the season and lived up to everything it was expected to be. Both teams worked to establish control with physical intimidation and ball skill. The Bulldogs were determined to beat the Bruins on will alone with physical challenges and strong tackles, but the Bruins were ready and responded in kind.
Ball skill, trapping, quick accurate passing would rule the day as both teams got their opportunities. However, it would be Bruin senior Sam Broberg that would strike fear in the opponent first with a blistering outside shot that beat the diving Bulldog keeper to his left side, only to strike the post and be cleared of the penalty area.
Brookings-Harbor would out shoot North Bend with considerably more scoring opportunities generated by a determined offense. Stingy defense and great goal keeping would keep both teams in the game, but unlucky bounces would plague the Bruins throughout the day.
After missing the sure goal that hit the post, the Bruins would put together a fast break with a shot on goal initially saved by the Bulldog keeper. The keeper would save the shot but a rebound would fall at the feet of a Bruin striker who would find the back of the net. However, a late and questionable offside call would negate the goal, leaving the score even at the half.
Both teams would pick up where they left off at half with physical play and great defense. Again the Bruins would have what seemed considerably more scoring opportunities, only to see the bounces and rebounds find Bulldogs instead of Bruins.
The second half would remain scoreless despite a multitude of corner kicks for the Bruins and continuous offensive pressure on the Bulldog defense. A direct free kick would be awarded to the Bruins just outside the 18 and a great shot and rebound would be matched by the Bulldog keeper and defense.
The Bulldogs would work into their own fast break, and not to be out done, Bruin keeper Jaime Cruz would leave the box to make a spectacular save on a certain Bulldog advantage.
The decisive moment of the game would come late in the second half when junior forward Luke Beaman would drive the goal line, be fouled inside the penalty box and be awarded a penalty kick with just 9:00 minutes left in the game.
Beaman’s opportunity to put the Bruins ahead late in the half would be saved by the Bulldog keeper who guessed right putting him in position to make the save.
The game would end a 0-0 tie, tarnishing the Bruins perfect record with just two games left in regular season play.
Brookings-Harbor Varsity Boys will play their last home game next Tuesday at 5:00 PM when South Umpqua / Riddle comes into town.