Photo by Junior Silva
McPherson, Kan. – It was an emotional night for the McPherson College men's soccer team on Wednesday as they squared off against the Ottawa University Braves at Paul Family Field.
In addition to it being senior night at McPherson Stadium, where they honored four players during halftime, the Bulldogs were playing with the added weight of dealing with the loss of Assistant Coach
Reed Hardgrave, who passed away suddenly on Monday morning.
After a pre-game speech from Coach Hardgrave's wife, the Bulldogs came out and played inspired soccer. They cracked the scoreboard in the 19
th minute when So. Sam Box took a ball down the right wing, into the 18 yard box. His initial shot was saved by the Braves' keeper, but he was unable to possess the ball, and the rebound found its way back to Box, who made sure it found the net the second time around.
Right before halftime, the Braves scored a fluke goal to tie the game at one. Ottawa's Carlos Alvarez was crossing a ball from the left wing, but the stiff north wind pushed the ball just out of the reach of So.
Colby Swift, who was in goal for the Bulldogs.
After honoring seniors
Sean Thomson,
Kody Scholl,
Jesus Reyes, and
Justin Clemons at halftime, the Bulldogs returned to the pitch, and dominated the next 45 minutes of play. The possession heavily favored the Bulldogs, and they created numerous chances at net, with two positive results.
Twelve minutes into the second half, it was Box's turn to set up one of his teammates. He drove a beautiful ball into the 18 yard box toward the back post. Ottawa's goal keeper dove and tried to punch the ball out, but instead it landed right at the feet of Sr.
Marcus Fernandes. The right footed striker used his non-dominant foot to slot the ball past the goal keeper, who was still on the ground after the initial save.
In the 70
th minute the Bulldogs would add an insurance goal. Box once again found himself with the ball on the right wing. He played another stellar ball, this time on the ground, to the far side of the 18. Waiting all alone was Sr.
Carlos Reyna. He collected the ball with his left foot, took one touch to his right and then hammered the ball far post into the side netting.
The defense held firm the rest of the way, securing a 3-1 victory. Swift faced just three shots on goal in the contest, and came away with two saves.
"I am so proud of our McPherson Soccer Family," said an emotionally spent Coach Quint. "Tonight, was a very emotional night for everyone. We paid tribute to our beloved Coach Hardgrave and his family before the game and at half-time we honored our four great seniors who will be graduating this May. Despite all of the emotions we found it within ourselves to compete for 90 minutes, stay the course, and get a victory. For that I am so proud!"
With the win, the Bulldogs are now 11-5 overall, and 8-3 in the KcAC. They will wrap up the regular season with a road trip to Salina, Kansas on Saturday for a 7:30 pm match up with the KWU Coyotes.
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