Benny Westcott
Sweet Home boys soccer fell to 0-2-1 on the season on Tuesday, Sept. 5 with a 3-1 loss at home against East Linn Christian Academy.
Head Coach Eric Stutzer said “We really struggled to get up the field and play with shape in the first half. East Linn was able to take advantage of our inability to transition out of the defensive third and put some strong pressure on us offensively.”
That led to a goal for the Eagles about 25 minutes into the game.
Stutzer said the Huskies then made some adjustments in the midfield after the goal, which created some opportunities, but they still struggled to maintain shape in the middle and attacking thirds, which gave East Linn some good transitional opportunities.
“The adjustments we made at halftime enabled us to adjust and we played much better in transition during the second half,” Stutzer said.
However, Sweet Home gave up a penalty kick at the 55th minute and another goal about the 60th “due to frustration,” Stutzer said.
Still, the coach noted “I was very pleased that we didn’t give up after those goals. The boys adjusted well and we started applying some good offensive pressure.”
That’s when sophomore midfielder Landon Savri was able to get a goal with about 20 minutes left in the game.
Despite this bright spot, Stutzer said “We were plagued by missed opportunities much of the second half and couldn’t find the net. We had six breakaway chances one on one and just couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities. [Senior] Ben Tolman had a great look with about five minutes left, but the East Linn keeper made a great save that kept him out of the bottom corner.”
Stutzer said that “Moving forward, we will focus on communication and shape. We will also have to work on focus in the attacking third and especially finishing one on one opportunities.”