6th/7th grade soccer team blows two goal lead in tie

For the second straight week, the 6th/7th grade soccer team scored two goals before halftime. Except on Saturday, there was a very different feel to the game.

Interestingly enough, last week, they held only a 2-1 lead going into the break, whereas this week, they led 2-0.

But the tide changed early in the third quarter.

Thomas had a shot on goal blocked by a defender, and the ball went quickly the other way.

The other team chipped the ball by the defense, which was slow the entire afternoon, and a big shot top shelf beat the outstretched arms of Garrick for the first goal of the game by the other team, cutting the lead down to 2-1.

Offensively, it was the worst game the 6th/7th graders (3-0-2)  played all season, as they failed to have any quality scoring chances the entire second half.

They were outplayed on defense, in the midfield and at the forward positions, so in some ways they were lucky to escape with a tie.

Midway through the fourth, the other team picked up a ball at midfield and had a lot of room to operate. The defense should've been playing up a little more, so the other team would not have as much room to pick up speed into the attack zone.

Instead, they played very passive and waited for the other team to attack and it burned them.

A forward on the other team got a good running start and just went by the defense. Garrick did not have a great angle on the shot, and left a little too much room shortside, as the shot went right past him and into the net, tying the game at 2-2.

Not much was decided after that goal and the game ended in a draw.

Following a 4-1 win and a 2-0 halftime lead, the boys certainly took their gas off the pedal.

The opponent Saturday was definitely better than the one last week, but the energy level and execution all around was not crisp.

Last week, everybody on the team, top to bottom played at a high level, which earned the team their finest victory of the year.

Saturday was the exact opposite, as everybody on the team could've played a much smarter, and better game.

Alan did add to his goal total for the year by scoring two in the first half, giving him 7 goals on the season.