Broncos blank Friendship 3-0

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Boyd seniors honored Friday on senior day are from left, John Watson, Sam Medley, Jay Medley, Kenneth King and Matt Herndon. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

Bronco soccer fans and senior players enjoyed a 3-0 shutout Friday over Friendship Christian as Boyd celebrated Senior Day. The Broncos finished third in the district with a 8-2-2 record and will hold the first round of district tournament play Monday at Boyd.

Boyd played most of the first half on offense with good ball movement. The Broncos struck for their first goal with 25 minutes left in the first half when Friendship was call for tripping in the box. Boyd was given a penalty kick and Sam Medley took advantage of the Commanders mistakes to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead.

Friendship never made much of a run on offense as Boyd’s defense shut any attack down turning the ball back over to the Bronco offense. Boyd’s footwork and team speed proved to be more than the Commanders could handle in the first half and with 10 minutes left in the half Boyd would strike again. Casey Hertwig took the ball from 25 yards out and maneuvered his way in between the Friendship defenders and fired from ten yards out to give Boyd a 2-0 lead going into the break.

Friendship played more aggressive on offense in the second half but still was no match for the Broncos defense. Ball control was still Boyd’s biggest weapon as they forced the Commanders into a defensive posture mid-way in the second half.

The big story of the second half would come from goalkeeper Jay Medley.

Medley has served as the Bronco’s goalie for four years has never scored in a game but his opportunity would soon come. Friendship was called for playing the ball back to the keeper with just under eight minutes to play.

Coach Keri Hertwig gave the senior his chance to enter the score book as Medley came out from goal and line the ball up for a goalie-on-goalie confrontation. Jay Medley sailed the ball past the diving Commander goalie to record his first goal of his high school career — and, more importantly, give Boyd a 3-0 lead.

The Broncos used the clock to their advantage, keeping the ball away from the Commanders until time expired, kicking off their Senior Day celebration.

“I’m so happy for our seniors to end the season with a win,” said coach Hertwig. “They have worked hard all year and these guys will truly be missed. Everybody on this team has done a great job and I’m proud of each and every one of them.”