BonnerSprings.com / Lost in the wind: Braves drop opener

Archive for Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Bonner Springs’ goalie Tiffany Burgoon was kept busy Monday handling the ball in the season opener at home against Tonganoxie. The Chieftains defeated the Braves 4-0.

Mick Bates/Staff Writer

March 26, 2008

The Bonner Springs girls soccer team lost to Tonganoxie 4-0 Monday in the first soccer game of the season.

“Inexperience and injuries were big factors tonight,” Bonner Springs coach Mike Moulin said. “Many of the girls are playing new positions because of injuries.”

It was a cold evening because of the brisk wind that blew all night. The wind caused the brave soccer fans to huddle together under blankets.

Bonner Springs fell behind 1-0 in the game’s sixth minute when Tonganoxie’s Jordan Gagne’s shot ricocheted off the goal and Alexa Moreno kicked the ball past Bonner Springs’ goalkeeper Tiffany Burgoon.

Gagne scored the second goal of the game on a header, which occurred off a deflected corner kick, and gave Tonganoxie a 2-0 lead at halftime.

As the second period began the overhead lights came on at David Jaynes Stadium, but the results were the same as the first half.

Tonganoxie scored two quick goals by Tonganoxie. Moreno tallied her second goal of the game by outrunning everyone, going three quarters the length of the field before putting the ball in the center of the net.

Five minutes later Tonganoxie’s Sydney Bennett scored off a deflected Moreno shot attempt, making the score 4-0 in favor of Tonganoxie.

Tonganoxie had 14 shots on goal. Bonner Springs finished the game with eight.

“We had many opportunities to score tonight, but we just didn’t capitalize,” Moulin said.

Bonner Springs scoring opportunities included several breakaways displaying their excellent ball handling abilities. However, they failed to make a shot on goal.

There were times when Bonner Springs shot too early. However, at other times they waited too long to shoot, allowing the defense to collapse on the shooter.

On two occasions, BSHS player Alyssa Kelly skillfully centered corner-kicks in front of the Tonganoxie goal, but her teammates were unable to score the ball.

Kelly also narrowly missed scoring on her two penalty kick opportunities.

Both kicks were on target, but Sarah Flaherty, the Chieftains goalkeeper, made difficult saves.

“We are a very young team,” Moulin said. “We are going to address finishing (scoring opportunities) first thing in practice this week.”

Bonner Springs is at 6 p.m. Thursday at home against Gardner-Edgerton.