Broncos clipped in final minute: Broncos fall by 3-2 final vs. Livingston

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Boyd’s Tyler Hall leaps between a pair of Livingston Academy players to send the ball downfield during Monday afternoon’s District 8-A soccer match at Boyd. Livingston scored in the game’s final minute to down the Broncos, 3-2.

The Boyd Broncos suffered a heart-breaking loss Monday, as District 8-A foe Livingston Academy scored in the final minute to take a 3-2 win.

The Broncos had their game faces on in the first half. Good team work and ball movement gave Boyd several early chances to score in the half. However, Livingston scored first with 20 minutes left in the half as their mid-fielder took a shot that slipped past a diving Jay Medley.

After Livingston’s goal, Boyd attacked the net, with Casey Hertwig driving the middle of the field. Hertwig fired a shot that deflected off of the Livingston goalie. Hertwig followed his shot, however, and made good on his second effort to tie the game at 1-1.

Livingston scored again just before the half to take the lead 2-1. Livingston had another chance to score again with one minute left on a direct kick. But Boyd’s defense held its ground and went in at the half trailing by one.

Livingston came out in the second half with a lot of offensive pressure on Boyd’s defense. The Broncos continued to play solid defense and switched to an offensive mindset mid-way in the second half. Sam Medley tied the game at 2-2 when Boyd was given a penalty kick with 15 minutes left in the game.

Both teams turned up the heat with time running out, as the game became very physical and neither side gave an inch. Boyd tried to take the lead when Hertwig fired a shot from 15 yards out, but his shot sailed over the net. Luck would determine the game and be on Livingston’s side when their striker headed the ball off the side of his neck and found the back of the net with one minute left to play to take the win.

The Broncos’ had 18 shots at goal, with Jay Medley picking up nine saves. Boyd is now 5-2-1 on the season. The loss was the Broncos’ second straight, after they fell to Mt. Juliet Christian Saturday on the road.

“The boys played a very good game today. We did all the things we needed to do to win, but luck just wasn’t on our side today. We played very hard for 80 minutes and everybody did their job. I’m so proud of this team, they worked very hard and should be proud of their play today,” said coach Keri Hertwig.

The Broncos are scheduled to return to action Thursday, with a 5 p.m. home game against York.