By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Staff
A pair of ranked boys soccer teams in different divisions played last Tuesday in Bossier as Division II No. 4 Ouachita Parish played Division III No. 3 Bossier in a non-district match with both teams looking to test themselves against a ranked opponent from outside its area.
The Lions started the game with a high press trying to intimidate the Bearkats and hoping for a defensive mistake. Bossier absorbed the pressure and stayed calm, even purposefully passing the ball around the backline, this to run the Lions out.
The strategy was successful overall, but did yield an early corner, and a shot that went over the crossbar. After 10 minutes the Lions had to abandon the pressure and settle into a more natural strategy. Bossier took over the remainder of the first half, with some solid passing and probing into Ouachita’s defense, resulting in a couple of good shots and a corner. The Lions were playing the long ball to their speedy forward, but not being able to crack the Bossier backline. The first half ended scoreless.
A few minutes into the second half, the Bearkats had the ball in the Lions’ box, with a shot into a defender who was called for a handball. The center referee pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Bossier’s Alex Urbina put the ball in the net. A Bearkat jumped into the box early, however, another PK had to be taken, with the same result. No one moved and Bossier was officially up 1-0.
The remainder of the game was spent going up and down the field with Bossier passing up and the Lions playing the long ball back down the field. Bossier had four to five good chances to score but the ‘Kats were overhitting their shots and not getting many on frame. Ouachita had two corners that had the home crowd nervous; the first resulted in a shot inches wide, the second, a pretty header that Bearkat keeper Logan Bamburg was able to save.
The final whistle blew with the home team taking the win, 1-0. Both teams look poised for a deep run in the state playoffs come February.
In a game last Thursday, moved from 6 o’clock to 2 due to falling temperatures, Caddo Magnet hosted Benton at Lee Hedges Stadium.
The game started with a light wind and 48 degrees, but 15 minutes in it was 38 degrees and a stiff 20 mph freezing wind. This affected play as the ball was controlled as much by the wind as by the players.
Benton started on the attack, getting the ball up the right side a few times early, including a solid shot on goal, caught by Magnet keeper Addison Tipton. The rest of the opening half was controlled by Magnet as freshman Isabella Baltov scored a hat trick and senior Caroline Wilemon added a free kick goal, giving the Lady Mustangs a 4-0 lead at halftime.
At the halftime break the schools agreed to finish the game but cancel the JV game, due to kickoff at 3:45. The temps continued to fall.
Baltov added two more goals in the second half giving her a career-defining five goals in the game. Benton’s Karsyn Best scored on a PK to complete the 6-1 final score. Wilemon and Audrey Jordan were each credited with two assists for the Lady Mustangs. Benton keeper Ava Moore had four saves.
The Benton boys also braved the cold Thursday and defeated Neville 5-3, getting goals from five different players. Reed Petro, Chase Clutter, Joey McKenna, Jonathan Billue and Zian Tovas all scored for the Tigers. Assists were credited to Petro, Clutter and Cason Cormany.