MORGANTOWN — The University boys soccer team has battled brutally hot and humid conditions while forging a 3-0 record – with an impressive 19 goals scored – to begin their season, but Wednesday night at home, they played their fourth game in seven days against a quality opponent in Wheeling’s Linsly School.
So, when the Hawks surrendered a goal midway through the first half, and couldn’t seem to solve the Cadets’ quick, organized, and talented defense, there might’ve been a tendency to chalk it up to ‘one of those games.’
Instead, their sustained second-half offensive pressure and effort were finally rewarded when UHS freshman forward Andrew Ballard scored a fabulous goal in the 75th minute, propelling the Hawks (3-0-1) into a memorable 1-1 draw.
“It can be hard to play hard for the full 80 minutes in a situation like that,” UHS coach Mike Smith said, “so when you are rewarded late, a team can feel that and carry it forward. It gives you belief, and that can inspire the effort and heart to make things happen late.”
The defensive quality of the match was evident from the first whistle, as both teams marked effectively in all areas of the pitch. Linsly’s back line was especially adept in the first half heading the ball to clear and to initiate counterattacks, and it was in fact a quick transition midway through the first half that led to the first goal.
A long clear from the top of the box was booted forward to lanky Linsly striker Liam Jones, who was behind both UHS defenders but also behind the center line and therefore onsides. Racing forward, Jones was one-on-one with UHS keeper J. R. Abraham for 40 yards. When Jones dribbled with a slightly heavy touch just outside the 18, Abraham made his move off his line and nearly smothered the ball, but Jones flicked a toe and nudged a shot under Abraham’s arm that slowly rolled into the open net for a 1-0 Cadets lead.
The remainder of the half was played mostly in the midfield, with little opportunity for build-up or quality chances on either side. The Hawks had the two best chances when a long throw into the box was headed over the crossbar, and in the final seconds, a free ball squirted loose to midfielder Nate Lindsay from 30 yards out, but his strong boot sailed well over the bar.
In the second half, while the Hawks were finding better success in the air – perhaps due to extra halftime encouragement from Smith – and their effort began to translate into winning more 50-50 balls, the staunch Linsly backline kept its shape well and didn’t really surrender so much as a dangerous looking shot. As time ticked down, the Hawks started send balls over the top, and one nearly found a sprinting forward, but Cadets’ keeper Kenzo Iriondo raced off his line and booted the ball out of danger.
And then, just when it seemed that all that effort would go for naught, a long thrown-in was only partially cleared into the middle of the field – right to Ballard.
“I was just outside the box, hoping to get a clear shot,” he explained after the game. “There was nobody marking me, so I knew I needed to settle it quickly because I didn’t want to get it blocked. I didn’t really look at a spot – I just went for power. When it went in (his laser of a left foot shot zinged into the top right corner, a sensational goal), it was an amazing feeling. It’s so great when you work so hard to try and score, and then it finally goes in.”
Smith admitted that atypically, there might’ve been a fist pump after Ballard’s rocket.
“They never quit, and really laid it on the line in the second half,” he smiled, “and I couldn’t be prouder of the effort and resiliency that showed today. We are tired and have had some sickness running through us, but that is a quality team, and that’s a quality draw, especially how we earned it.
‘One of those games’ indeed.
The Hawks get a much-needed break before hosting Robert C. Byrd next Tuesday at 5:45 p.m.
By MARK SCHRAF/For The Dominion Post
VOLLEYBALL
MORGANTOWN — University volleyball improved to 10-1 on the season after sweeping a home quad match Wednesday. The Hawks defeated East Fairmont 2-0 (25-14, 25-13), John Marshall 2-0 (25-13, 25-22) and Buckhannon-Upshur 2-0 (25-12, 25-17).
University is off until next week when they host a tri-match with Preston and Linsly, Wednesday at 5 p.m.
