Final.

This started out looking like it was going to be a long night for Boone as St. Henry came out fast. When they cross mid field they don't waste any time getting it as close to the box as possible. I like the way the Crusaders play. Boone defenders had their hands full and with a little help from Benjamin kept the ball out of the net for a large chunk of the 1st half. Can a St. Henry fan help me out with how they scored? Boone wasn't able to mount much offense in the first half. They had a couple of chances but did not score. Boone Co was down 0-1 at half.

 

The Rebels came out with a little bit better game in the second half and began to play more down at the Crusader's end of the pitch. St. Henry still possessed the ball more but the Rebels were matching up with them better. Boone got the ball down near the Cru's goal. I don't recall if there was a corner kick or a throw in but the ball went to the goal and it was bodied out. Boone player tried to turn it but St. Henry got a bit of a foot on it and ball headed away from goal. Rebel Micah Bagara was able to get to the ball and send it back 180 degrees into the Crusaders net. Score tied.

 

Within minutes, St. Henry had a second goal. Boone and St. Henry went up for a high ball and Boone got called for foul. St. Henry kicked it down to Boone's end of field and got a corner kick. St. Henry headed the ball in on the corner so it was 2-1.

 

Boone had plenty of fight left in them. They had two really good chances. One of them occurred on a throw-in that went to the goal and Benjamin headed it just wide of the goal (Yes, Benjamin was playing forward at the time and Espinoza was in goal for Boone). Boone later worked the ball up field and Ulises Martinez had it in the middle of the field towards St. Henry's goal. A defender was beside him trying to get position and they were battling. U. Martinez had about a half step ahead of the Cru player who was putting pressure on him. Cru GK came out of the goal to challenge and left the goal exposed. Martinez launched the ball up and over. The goalie was able to just get a hand on it deflecting the ball just wide.

 

Another good opportunity came when the Rebel Stopper somehow got down along the line to the right of the Crusader's goal. I think it was on a thrown in and he ran down the side line and dribbled it down to the back line. Three Cru players had him surrounded and apparently pinned along the back line but he managed to dribble through them, got clear and sent a short cross right in front of the goal. No white jersey's were there and it was quickly gathered up by the Keeper. It appeared that the Rebels weren't expecting him to get through and were on their heels preparing to go on the defensive instead of completing the offensive play.

 

Crusader's got their insurance goal with under 2 minutes to play. 3-1

 

The Rebels played well in the second half and had their chances. St. Henry has a fine team and seems to be in the right place at the right time, a lot. They space well and pass to the open guy's feet. They also are able to change side of the field quickly. Once they get it going towards the opponent's goal they go quickly and attack. They are a fine team. Good luck to the Cru going forward.

 

Boone JV, we're rooting for you in the JV Regional coming up this weekend.

Jv regional is next weekend but a few teams are playing their Fri games this week.

I believe these are the matches being played this Friday....

 

7:00 Pendleton Co/Holmes

7:00 Grant Co/Bishop Brossart

 

8:30 Highlands/Dixie

8:30 Holy Cross/Cooper

For St. Henry: Neltner, Manahan, and Sanders all had one goal each. Norris had 2 assist directly from long throw-ins.

Thanks for the input, thebench. I thought it was an entertaining match.

Nice summary, oldgrappler. Boone has many nice players. And SIZE! Lots of upside to the Rebels team. They will challenge their opponent every step of the way.

 

Good luck to Boone!

Size: you must be referring to Mo (Mohammed) Yecatom at center midfield. I am sure the football coach sees him walking in the hallway at school and is thinking, "Why doesn't he play football?!" :banghead: He actually does play on Friday nights. He's the kicker for the football team.

 

I like Mo at center mid. He's played other positions this season but he has come into his own at center mid. He uses his size to get the ball and he has surprising reach with his foot to knock the ball away from someone who has a little separation. He's playing with confidence there and contributing to the team effort.

 

He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and lots of fun to be around.