Kicking off the in-season games, the NC varsity boys soccer (2-2)faced off against the Lassiter High School Trojans (2-0), February 9 at Emory Swell Stadium. After NC’s loss to Kell High School (3-0), the team desired a win, and their techniques during the game showed NC’s determination. As fans took to the stands, the players stepped onto the field in high anticipation for the first official in-season game of the year.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game, as we lost to them last year and were only somewhat prepared because we only had a few practices as a team. We could improve our communication and work as a team instead of individually. Specifically, working on each of our individual strengths to aid the development of the team as a whole,” magnet junior defender Will King (23) said.
To start the first half, NC began with the kickoff, and with a quick pass from senior forward Mauricio Dias (11) to junior midfielder Brayan Silva (10), the game commenced. Within the first minute of the match, the Trojans switched the ball and drove toward the goal until junior goalie Luca Diaz-Poma (0) immediately shut down the opponents. After a foul from Lassiter, the referees awarded NC a free kick from the 20-yard line by junior midfielder Nyjah Ngamau (17). The opportunity for NC to score the first goal of the match lay in their hands, but unfortunately, Ngamau missed and hit Lassiter’s wall. As the Trojans struggled to find the back of the net on a corner kick in the sixth minute, NC gained possession for a goal kick. Despite NC earning the goal kick, Lassiter won the ball from the air, and junior midfielder Liam Barhod (10) cut past Diaz-Poma, allowing the scoring of the first goal of the match. After a short period of silence from both teams, Lassiter junior midfielder Kosei Kawaguchi (18) split the NC defense with a through ball to Barhod. Once again, Barhood cut past Diaz-Poma to secure Lassiter a 2-0 lead. After the Trojans second goal of the half, both teams’ defensive lines worked overtime, preventing either team from scoring until minute 41 of the match. Barhod fought senior defender Adin Lungu (4) down the line and crossed the ball across the goal to senior midfielder Reese Glowienka (13), who finished with an impressive volley. With a short time left in the game, NC struggled to advance past Lassiter’s defensive line, and the half ended with Lassiter’s 3-0 lead.
“I knew it was going to be a tough game, but I also knew I had to play hard, stay focused, and give it my all. I feel good about my performance; I definitely could’ve done better, but that’s in the past. For Friday, we just got to start with that same intensity we played with in the second half, we showed we can compete, and we just gotta stay consistent, then the result will show,” junior midfielder Brian Rivas (19) said.
To start the second half, Lassiter held possession from the kickoff, but immediately lost possession to the NC midfield. Early on in the second half, the Warriors resided on the offensive side. Finally, Silva received the ball off an unfortunate touch from Lassiter’s defense, and he used the opportunity to drive a shot from the 20-yard line into the bottom right corner of the net, securing NC their first goal of the night. With Lassiter senior forward Kaeson Crosier (7) on a breakaway towards the goal, sophomore defender Patrick Esuzor (3) mistakenly fouled Crosier in the box, resulting in a penalty shot. As Crosier lined up to take the shot with Michael Grossman (1) in goal, he aimed toward the bottom right corner, directly in the path of Grossman’s dive. Unfortunately, the ball ricocheted off Grossman, resulting in a fourth goal for Lassiter. Despite Lassiter holding a 4-1 lead, NC’s perseverance ensured multiple goal-scoring opportunities for the team, and in minute 76, NC capitalized on their opportunities. Ngamau sent the ball into the Lassiter defender on a corner kick, the ball rolled into Silva’s possession for a shot, the shot bounced off the goal post. Senior forward Eric Shorter (20) capitalized on this opportunity and finished the play. Shorter’s goal marked the first goal of the season for himself, along with shortening Lassiter’s lead to only two goals.
Despite NC’s consistent effort, Lassiter remained in the lead for the rest of the match. By the 90-minute mark, the whistle blew and Lassiter defeated NC with a score of 4-2 for their first in-season match of the year. The Warriors will face off against Pebblebrook High School, Friday, February 12, in hopes of securing their first win of the season.
