Garner soccer defeats Cleveland with improved play
We’re only a month into the 2016 boys soccer season, but Garner seems to have moved on to its second season.
The Trojans, who lost their first four matches by a combined 21-1 score, have won two matches and lost two one-goal games in their past four. Garner (2-6-0) claimed a 3-1 victory over visiting Cleveland (3-4-2) in a non-conference game Tuesday night at the South Garner High School campus.
“We’re starting to play as a team,” said Garner sophomore Lucas Quiroga, who scored two goals. “If we play individually, we won’t get anywhere. We’ve had more time to learn how we play.”
GARNER
Garner’s early losses had a lot do with the competition in addition to a young team learning to play together. The Trojans schedule tough, losing games to Holly Springs, 4-1; Millbrook, 5-0; Broughton, 8-0; and Holly Springs a second time, 4-1.
But it also has something to do with playing better soccer.
“Our schedule as very difficult, especially Millbrook — one of the better teams I’ve seen in years,” said Garner Coach Ben Bondurant. “We’re starting to play with our feet, moving to the ball. If we take care of business on defense, we’ll be OK.”
Garner nearly made it a 4-1 with eight minutes to play. Juan Santana’s shot hit the crossbar and bounced away.
Juan Santana shutout Cleveland in the first half with six saves. Zach Main maintained to the shutout until he was beaten in a one-on-one from close range.
CLEVELAND
Cleveland Coach Nicholas Gruhn said he talked to his young team in a post-game huddle about playing with consistent effort for 80 minutes.
“We played a great first half, and then we dipped,” Gruhn said. “They turned it up and we didn’t answer. You can’t get away with that. Teams will put you away. We didn’t play with the fire we needed.”
In the first half, Cleveland defenders Logan Blankenship, Ben Franklin, Bailey King and Logan Tilton formed an impenetrable wall.
Garner was trying to beat the defenders down the field with long passes, but the Rams retreated to clear balls.
Garner’s Vakaba Cisse sent three or four first-half crosses similar to the on Quiroga converted in the second half, but the defenders broke up scoring attempts. Goalie Austin Myrick also recorded some diving saves.
GAME LOG
Halftime: Cleveland 0, Garner 0.
54th minute: Quiroga broke the ice with an assist from senior Vakaba Cisse. Quiroga said Cisse’s cross came to him from the left side perfectly positioned for him to redirect to back right side of the net.
70th minute: Garner’s senior Amos Kalambayi scored moments after entering the game off a corner. The ball rebounded into a crowd by he found a sliver to send it to back right side of the net.
71st minute: Cleveland junior Dominic Piatek had a one-on-one with the goalie charging from the right side.
74th minute: Quiroga’s second goal provided a cushion for the minutes minuts when he scored on a header off a throw-in from junior Shamari Henderson.
THEY SAID IT
“Lucas gives 110 percent the whole time and he has a high soccer IQ,” Bondurant said. “That’s neat to say because he’s only a sophomore and we have him two more years.”
This story was originally published September 14, 2016 at 9:52 AM with the headline "Garner soccer defeats Cleveland with improved play."