HOME, SWEET SWEEP: Bartlesville soccer teams tame Tigers in Custer Stadium scraps
Bartlesville High School’s soccer teams socked it to Tahlequah High squads during a doubleheader showdown Tuesday at Custer Stadium.
Following are the reports.
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Boys: Bruins 2, Tigers 1
The tide is turning for the Bruins when it comes to close outcomes.
After enduring four losses by one goal, in overtime or a shootout, the Bruins have zapped their last two opponents in one-score games.
Last Friday, the Bruins (7-5) dropped Tulsa Washington, 2-1, in overtime.
They followed up with Tuesday’s come-from-behind thriller against the Tahlequah Tigers.
“It was kind of a lack-luster performance but they stuck with it,” Bruin head coach Brandon Willis said. “It shows the team they are resilient. They don’t let their heads get down. They’re very hard working.”
The Bruins and Tigers scrapped to a 0-0 tie in the first half.
Following halftime, Tahlequah found the back of the net first to put the Bruins — who are fighting valiantly for a playoff spot — in a hole.
But, instead of getting down the Bruins got even — 1-1 — on Peter Perryman’s goal.
“The ball switched from left to right,” Willis explained. “Peter brought the ball forward. … He struck the ball outside the top of the box into the left-handed corner.”
Significantly, Perryman net-tickler occurred approximately only five minutes after Tahlequah had scored.
The clock wound to well less than 10 minutes when Ian Belong headed in the winning ogal off a corner kick by Brandon O’Rourke.
Braydon Eads was probably Bartlesville’s most influential player, Willis said.
He also praised the standout efforts of Braxton Decker, Perryman and O’Rourke.
“Brandon did a lot of work on top,” he said.
With the win, Bartlesville upped its District 6A-4 record to 3-2. In most years, four district victories is enough to qualify for the postseason, which means Bartlesville is strong shape for that goal with two matches remaining next week, Tuesday at Owasso and April 22 by hosting Muskogee.
Bartlesville downed Owasso, 2-1, during a tournament game in early March.
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Girls: Lady Bruins 5, Lady Tigers 0
Perhaps their playoff hopes are only a flickering candle, but at least the flame of hope still burns for the Bartlesville High girls soccer players after they hammered Tahlequah High, 5-0, on Tuesday.
The Bartlesville Lady Bruins improved to 8-5 overall but — more importantly — to 2-3 in District 6A-4.
Bartlesville can’t afford any slips in their final two regular season games next Tuesday at Owasso (10-0, 2-0) and at home April 22 against Muskogee (2-6, 0-3).
But, the Lady Bruins at least still enjoy a tentative chance heading into the final week.
They made sure of that by dropping Tahlequah like a hint in a cheap mystery novel.
Zoe McCabe zapped in three goals (a hat-trick), while Ella Dreher and Katen Bottorff tallied one apiece.
McCabe and Dreher each scored in the first half to power the Lady Bruins to a 2-0 lead.
McCabe opened the second half scoring, off an assist from Eva Sigler.
Bottorff — a freshman who played valuable minutes — put the Lady Bruins ahead, 4-0.
“Katen did a great job,” Lady Bruin head coach Aaron Kuntz said. “She cleared a ball off the goal line to save a goal in the first half and she ended up getting a goal in the second half.”
McCabe — one of three veterans honored for Senior Night — closed out the goal-making.
On the other end of the field, Bartlesville’s back line dominated.
“Our defense played great,” Kuntz said. “Sawyer (goalie Sawyer Kirkland) and our entire back line did a good job of keeping a clean sheet. Our defense played a lot better in the second half.”
Emma Sanderson and Liz Jasso rounded out Bartlesville’s trio of 12th grade girls recognized during the Senior Night ceremony.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Bartlesville High soccer teams sweep
