Lions pounce on Boyd boys in second half
At Boyd High School on Monday, an offensive explosion in the second half was the difference in the game.
Unfortunately it was St. Andrews, not the Broncos, who scored five goals with a barrage of shots in the second half as Boyd fell to the Mountain Lions 7-1.
The Broncos were short-handed with just two subs, but the first half proved to be an even contest for Boyd. Bronco goalie Dustin Curtis was a very busy man during the first four minutes of play, coming up with two diving saves. The two teams exchanged possession during the first half as the game was played at mid-field. But, St. Andrews drove down in front of Boyd’s goal and scored its first goal of the day 11 minutes into the contest.
Boyd took back control of the ball and moved down field with Brooks Palmer missing an opportunity to tie the game. But five-minutes later Matthew Hancock tied the game at 1-1 as he fired a shot to the right side of the net.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, St. Andrews was awarded a penalty kick. The Mountain Lions made good on the free opportunity for a 2-1 lead. St. Andrews had a chance to extend its lead before the half on a direct kick, but the shot missed. Just before the half ended James Dunlap lined the ball up for a direct kick but his shot sailed left as the half ended with St. Andrews holding a 2-1 advantage.
Dunlap was a very busy keeper in the second half as he picked up 11 saves. Hancock made a run three minutes into the half, but his shot was turned away by the Mountain Lions’ defense.
The second half was played in front of Boyd’s goal. The Mountain Lions held their position and made good cuts to the passing lanes. St. Andrews scored 10 minutes into the half for a 3-1 lead. The offensive pressure continued as the Mountain Lions took shot after shot. St. Andrews scored its fourth goal with 23 minutes left in the game and its fifth goal two minutes later. St. Andrews speed started to wear down the Broncos and with 15 minutes left on the clock the Mountain Lions scored their sixth goal. Their seventh and final score of the game came just three-minutes later. Boyd had one last chance to score in the second half when Palmer drove towards the Lions goal, pulling the keeper out. But Palmer’s shot missed wide right as the game ended with the Broncos falling by six goals.
“We started to slow down and tire out in the second half,” said coach Gina Cleek.
“We had just two subs and St. Andrews had 23 players they ran in and out. We kept the game close, but we just ran out of gas in the second half.”
For the Broncos, Curtis had 19 saves on the day with St. Andrews goalie picking up three. The Broncos were scheduled to travel to Mt. Juliet Christian on Tuesday and will take on Friendship Christian on Saturday at home with a 11 a.m. start time.