Boyd Christian soccer falls 3-1

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Boyd’s Casey Hertwig works the ball downfield while being pursued by the St. Andrew’s defense during Monday’s game at Boyd. Hertwig scored the Broncos’ lone goal, as they were handed a 3-1 defeat by the visiting Mountain Lions. (Rob Nunley photo)

Boyd Christian’s soccer team saw its season-opening win streak come to an end Monday with a hard-fought 3-1 loss to visiting St. Andrews Sewanee.

Casey Hertwig gave the Broncos (2-1) an early lead, and the teams went into halftime knotted at 1-1, but as the second half played out, the Mountain Lions used their depth to their advantage, keeping a fresh lineup on the field and striking for a pair of second-half goals.

“It was a tough loss, but I’m really proud of them,” Boyd coach Keri Hertwig said. “They came out strong, and played well against a really tough team.”

The Broncos kept pressure on the St. Andrew’s goal for much of the first half, and capitalized when Eric Phillips and Casey Hertwig found themselves on a 2-on-1 breakaway deep on the Mountain Lions’ half of the field. Phillips dealt a crossing pass to Hertwig, who fired a shot from near point-blank range past the St. Andrew’s goalkeeper.

The 1-0 lead held up until the closing moments of the half, thanks to solid play in goal from Jay Medley, who finished with 22 saves, and strong play from the Broncos’ defenders.

“They played excellent defense early,” Hertwig said. “They helped keep us in the game.”

St. Andrew’s tied the game just before halftime, then kept tough pressure on Jay Medley through the second, finally scoring the go-ahead goal mid-way through the half and adding an insurance goal with just over five minutes to play.

The Broncos host White County Thursday. Although the game was originally scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., the start time may be moved up to ensure the game will end before sunset.