Hargrave 2 – Bluestone 0
Two early first half goals along with a superb defensive effort and outstanding goalkeeper play gave the Tigers the 2-0 win over a very tough and hard-working Bluestone team Friday evening. The Tigers did not know what to expect from their newest and unfamiliar opponent, but were made to earn every inch down to the final whistle against the visiting team.
Bluestone tested the Tiger defense early with an extensive high pressure approach, and despite the Tigers only giving up three first half shots, goalkeeper Nathan Bloom was forced to make saves on all three attempts. With the early saves from Bloom, including a diving save on a break-away attempt four minutes into the match, the Tiger defense quickly regained control of the first half virtually allowing no other scoring opportunities.
Senior forwards Nick Barr and Tumi Demuren continued their goal scoring streaks on the season with each adding a goal 15 minutes after the opening whistle. Senior captain Nick Barr added the Tiger’s first six minutes into the match with a break-away opportunity of his own. The initial set-up came from a Bloom kick after a collected ball in his own box where it then found the head of junior captain Scott Dinius in the midfield. Dinius, winning the ball in the air, flicked the pass onto Barr who then took a single touch to push the ball past a sprawling defender, and leave himself with the one-on-one oppurtunity with the Bluestone goalkeeper. Despite the pressure coming on from behind, Barr was able to keep his chasing defender behind him and score the opening goal for the Tigers. Nine minutes later Demuren would give the Tigers the 2-0 advantage from yet another Dinius assist. Dinius collected a throw-in down the right flank from senior captain Josh Splinter pushing the ball down to the Bluestone endline. With a slight hesitation Dinius then sent a crossed ball to the back post where it found the fingertips of the Bluestone keeper. Although, the opposing keeper was not able to hold on to the Dinius cross, and Demuren was there to put home the loose ball just inches from the goalline. The Tigers would finish the first half outshooting their opponent 9-3 forcing the Bluestone keeper, who also played superbly in net, into making six saves, yet the 2-0 advantage would end the first half of play.
The second half resulted in much of the same aggressive defensive play from both teams, and would result in neither team able to create many scoring opportunities. Once again Bluestone came out early on with a scoring opportunity, but the great scoring chance sailed wide of the net just two minutes in. Barr created the Tigers best scoring opportunity of second half with an individual attempt taking his defender on and to his right then cutting back hard with the outside of his right foot to hit a left footed strike. Although, the Bluestone keeper was able to once again come up with the save. The hard-fought defensive match between the two sides continued throughout the second half, and with 18 minutes to play the Tigers were forced to go a man down after a red card was issued. Although, despite being down a man the Tigers were able to hold strong defensively and secure the 2-0 win against this very scrappy and hard-working opponent in Bluestone HS.
The Tigers improve their record to 4-0 overall, 3-0 in conference play with their next scheduled match-up taking on Galileo HS on Tuesday, March 27.
