By Hannah Helbert
The middle school boys’ and girls’ soccer teams played Benjamin Franklin Middle School last Wednesday at Patrick County High School. The boys played first and lost to a currently undefeated BFMS 7-0.
“Our players worked hard and kept it close in the first half with a score of 1-0. We are currently adjusting to the loss of a player due to injury but hope to have everybody available to play soon,” said Head Coach Rob Wilson of the game.
The boys’ team is looking to learn from each opportunity given and to build as the season progresses. “We are excited about having a full middle school team this year. Having this much interest shown and the opportunity to develop young players is great for the future of the PCHS soccer program,” Wilson said. “The competition they are facing is better than many of them have faced before and the experience will help them improve their skills and work together as a team.”
Later on in the evening, the Lady Cougars picked up a win 5-2 over BFMS. The Lady Cougars have two players out due to injuries in previous games in the season, leaving the team with only 11 players. Those players had to play the entire game from start to finish.
Suzanne Gonzalez scored the first goal for the Lady Cougars and added two more during the game. Gladis Quiroz added a hard shot goal by placing the ball just below the bar into the back of the net. The final goal of the first half came off a pass from Sadie Vernon to Gonzalez. This goal would make Gonzalez’s fourth hat trick of the season. Vernon finished the game with two assists.
In the second half, Quiroz made a great assist to seventh grader Lillian Byers who scored the final goal for the Lady Cougars. The Lady Eagles scored two goals in the remaining minutes but were not able to overcome the Lady Cougars.
“[The team] played hard and implemented skills that have been working on in practice. It was a struggle to make good touches, and powerful shots in the second half going against such high winds,” said Head Coach Houston Boles of the win.
The Lady Cougars improve to 5-1 this season.
Both middle school teams played at Benjamin Franklin Middle School next Monday, April 9.
