Broncos battle Mt. Juliet to tie

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Boyd’s Clint Patterson (5) fights off a pair of Mt. Juliet Christian players to control a loose ball during Monday afternoon’s game. Patterson assisted on the Broncos’ only goal.

The Boyd Broncos soccer team played host to Mt. Juliet Christian Monday afternoon with the two teams battling to a 1-1 tie. The Broncos are now 1-1-1 in district play and will have a week off before traveling to Middle Tennessee Christian on April 13.

During the first period both team jockeyed for position on offense, but Boyd seemed to have the upper hand during much of the half. The Broncos missed on several early opportunities to score as the ball was sent wide of the net on three different occasions.

Mt. Juliet’s first real chance to get on the scoreboard came at the 20-minute mark. Boyd was call for shove in the back and Mt. Juliet lined up an indirect kick, but Boyd goalie Dustin Curtis knocked down the attempt keeping the game scoreless.

Mt. Juliet became more aggressive on offense and five minutes later Curtis came up with another big save as the two teams entered the half tied at 0-0.

Mt. Juliet charged downfield in the opening minutes of the second half and found the back of the net to take the lead. Boyd picked up the pace on offense, while the Broncos defense turned it up a notch. With 15 minutes left in the game Clint Patterson worked the ball down field and found an open Casey Hertwig who fired the ball into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.

Boyd dominated the remaining 15 minutes, but all six shots missed their mark as the two teams had to settle for the tie.

The Broncos had 17 shots at goal, while Curtis turned away 15 attempts by Mt. Juliet.

“This was a tough game but the guys are getting better with each game,” said coach Keri Hertwig.

“For such a young team the boys have come a long ways so far this season and I’m very proud of their hard work.”