BOYS SOCCER GAME SUMMARY

On a cool Saturday morning with a temperature around 36F, the boys from Caro presented a lineup with a couple injuries from previous games for at least 3 players (back injury, heel injury and bruised bone around the caf, etc.). These bad news left no choice to the coach other than to improvise with restructured positioning with a dynamic lineup.

First half started with a balanced match up from both sides. A couple of chances here and there kept both teams on their heels. One talented player from Marlette (#37) was amazingly dribbling and controlling the ball and was definitely the play maker of his team. Unfortunately, the Tigers defense didn't realize how good he was until he basically was responsible and contributed to the first 3 goals. Committing to the ball was the big mistake from the defenders and if it weren't for the numerous saves goal tender and junior Klayton Clish made, it could have been even worse.

Trailing with 3 goals now, the Tigers had to press up front to counter attack their offensive attempts. Fair enough, on a long pass deflected by the newly named Captain, center midfielder and Sophomore Marik Phillips with his head,  the ball finally found center forward and Sophomore Sang La who managed to put his team on the score board (1-3). 

This Caro goal gave a slight hope to the hosts but the visitors from Marlette didn't allow or give a chance to their opponents to come back to the game. The visitors scored another two goals with the masterpiece assistance of their key player #37 which decided the outcome of the first half in favor of the visitors by 5-1. Goalie's switch was necessary to change the dynamics of the game and compensate for the injured players. Sophomore and left defender Ethan Fellows substituted Clish for the goaltending position. Clish moved up to left defense.

The coaching speech was about not marking enough the play maker #37 and allowing him to receive the ball and do his magic by making those dangerous and costly moves and passes. Also, the speech was about creating and moving into those empty spaces without the ball trying to disrupt their organized powerful machine.

Second half was launched with certain enthusiasm from the Caro side. The Tigers needed more than that but proved they can at least make some decent passes and create chances up front. Clish moved up to forward position to create more chances but in vain. 

Unfortunately, with 3 key players hurt on the bench, the Tigers can only minimize the damage and avoid the famous mercy score to allow only 2 goals in the second half for a final score of 1-7.

The coach will work on some lacking soccer technical skills during future practices to bring this young team to a more competitive level (receiving the ball and control it, accurate passing, move without the ball to create space, give and go set-ups, crashing to the goalie, anticipating some obvious plays, go first to the ball and win it, jump for the ball and win it, use speed and smart plays, etc.)

The MVP award was presented to junior and goaltender/right forward player Klayton Clish who made various amazing saves and tried to stimulate his teammates by creating some chances up front. 

Next away game is scheduled this coming Monday, September 21 at 4:30 pm at Bad Axe!