Boyd breaks halftime tie to top Owls
Boyd Christian’s soccer team traveled to Smith County on Tuesday for a matchup with the Owls. Bronco keeper Dustin Curtis had 13 saves on the day, as Boyd scored three times in the second half to secure the 5-2 victory.
The Owls started strong, dominating the first 10 minutes of the half. Smith County scored the first goal as Ben Rickett found the back of the net. The Owls continued to be aggressive on offense keeping Boyd’s defense on the run. But a foul in the box by an Owl defender gave Boyd a penalty kick with 15 minutes remaining in the half. Boyd’s Brooks Palmer took the PK tying the game at 1-1. Three minutes later Ryan Hill found Matthew Hancock who was racing down the middle of the field scoring Boyd’s second goal as the half ended with the Broncos holding a 2-1 lead.
After a some what sluggish start on defense in the first half the Broncos came out in the second half much more aggressive. But 10 minutes into the half Smith County’s Ben Rickett worked his way through several Bronco defenders and tied the game at 2-2. The Broncos continued to play solid as the mid-fielders broke down the Owls defense with good passing. Palmer put Boyd out in front, when he fired a shot at the Owls goal. Smith County’s goalie mishandled the shot and Palmer followed his shot scoring on the second attempt. Boyd added to its lead when Ben Biles worked the ball to Ryan Hill who scored to make it a 4-2 Bronco lead with 14 minutes left to play.
Smith County was desperate to score as time ticked off the clock. Boyd’s Jared Parker took the ball away from a Smith County mid-fielder and quickly passed the ball to Hancock. Hancock drove in front of the Owls net and slipped a shot past the diving keeper for Boyd’s fifth goal of the game, securing the victory.
“I’m very proud of this team,” said coach Gina Cleek. “They have come together and you can see such cohesiveness on the field. They communicate well and support each others play.
“There is always more work to be done, but overall I was very happy with both offense and defense.”