BOYS SOCCER GAME SUMMARY

The Caro Tigers had to regroup after 2 games to correct a couple of things (better positioning, tight marking, first to the ball and triangular passing, support system,  etc.). 

On a beautiful fall afternoon, the Lakers with only 9 players were visiting the Caro premises with the order of wearing masks for both teams while playing.

The coach made sure the instructions (Effort, control, discipline, and set the tone first) were clear and to be followed right at the start of the game.

Fair enough, the hosts took control and set the tone first giving no chance to the opponents to settle and create any chances. Junior and captain Josiah Anderson spotted his teammate senior and captain Aaron Pierce by serving him a long ball for a sprint in which Pierce won the race to the ball to surprise their Goalie with the first goal for the Tigers.

This goal boosted the morale of the hosts and kept pressing up front to create more chances. Then, a lose ball reached out Junior Ayush Patel in their dangerous box who passed it to his teammate right winger and Sophomore Brady Rigg who accurately placed the ball in the net for a second goal. The coach decided to make some substitutions and a few minutes later right midfielder, Captain and Sophomore Tanner Smith came up with a clever pass to find new comer and Sophomore Riley Parker who on a spectacular sprint isolated himself in front of their goalie to score the 3rd goal for Caro.

Half time was announced by the referee's whistle with a 3-0 lead for the hosts.

The coach's speech was about ball possession and control as well as keeping positioning to spread out the field and make those triangular passes.

Second half started with great enthusiasm from the Tigers perspective. Left winger and Freshman Logan McGarry dribbled their defender to free himself to make an awesome pass to Captain Josiah Anderson who tricked both their defender and goalie for a 4th goal for his team. Goalie and Junior Klayton Clish was moved up front as center forward and fair enough, he managed to sprint to secure the ball by beating the goalie and score the 5th goal with the help of his teammate Josiah Anderson. The later retrieved the ball at the center midfield location and spotted right winger and freshman Owen Vandermark who dribbled with amazing skills to beat 2 defenders and managed to shoot for a goal. The outcome for the game was already set with a 6-0 lead for Caro. After sitting on a bench, Sophomore and center midfield player Marik Phillips strategically placed himself in a favorable position to receive a golden pass from his teammate Parker to score a beautiful goal. Again, from a corner kick delivered by right midfielder Smith, Parker deflected the ball with his back to find Phillips to mercy the Lakers with the 8th goal of the game.

Great performance from both Goalies Klayton Clish and Ethan Fellows who both earned their first shutouts of the season.

The Caro Tigers played a great passing game and were rewarded by this first victory of the season. 

The MVP award was presented to Captain Junior and Sweeper/Center forward Josiah Anderson who scored 1 goal and obtained 3 assists (Pierce, Clish, Vandermark).

Next game is at home hosting the team from Harbor Beach on Wednesday September 16th at 5:30 pm.