Cougar Soccer Survives Season Opener

Cougar Soccer Survives Season Opener
By David Gravely

Pulaski County Head Soccer Coach Mike Price had a hoarse voice by the end of his teams first game of the season, as his Cougars fell behind the visiting Galax Maroon Tide 1-0 at the start of the second half. Fortunately, they were able to put things together to start 2012 off with a 2-1 win.

"After two successful scrimmages against Marion and Carroll County, we thought we were ready" said Coach Price. "Instead, we got more than we bargained for, and had to fight hard to come from behind to win. They were fast, and we made plenty of mistakes. We've still got some things to work on."
During the first half, the ball went back and forth with neither team gaining a real advantage. The Cougars had six scoring opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net, but failed to do so. After both team pressured the goals and were denied, the half ended 0-0.

Galax came out ready during the second half, and scored just two minutes in due to a blown coverage by the Cougar defense. The Galax forward caught the Cougar defender out of position and took off on a breakaway opportunity. Zack Willard tried to charge the forward, but a well placed ball found the back of the net, making the score 1-0.

The Cougars once again had trouble finding the back of the net, but they kept pressing. Pulaski would finally get on the board when Javier Wagner sent a pass to Zack Akers who knocked the ball home to tie the score 1-1. For the next several minutes the Cougars traded shots with the Maroon Tide, with both teams missing key chances to score. With the clock winding down, Pulaski finally capitalized on a great pass from Cody Wright to Javier Wagner. Wagner received the pass from Wright, lured the Galax defender to keep close, then chipped the ball into the upper right hand corner, making the score 2-1. Galax kept pressing, but the Cougar defense was able to hold, and the game ended with the score 2-1. Zack Willard had 4 saves in the contest.

"Galax had a really fast and skilled team" said Price. "Our defense basically ran the entire game trying to cover them. We were really confused tonight on offense. We wasted a lot of opportunities tonight. Instead of working the ball, we were hasty and made poor decisions. Three or four people cannot win the game, it takes everyone. The quicker they learn that, the better off we will be. I am also disappointed in some of the hustle tonight. We were waiting for the ball to come to us instead of getting to the ball first. Our communication on defense and in the midfield is an area of concern as well."

While he was disappointed with some points of the game, Price was pleased to see his team find a way to win. "Taylor Webster had a great game for us tonight. He won many balls out of the air, and provided a spark of hustle late in the second half that led to a score. In the end though, a win is a win and I'll take it. Hopefully we can learn from this and get better. We will have to be better playing Radford back to back next week. At least we have a week to get things back on track, and play like the team I know we are."

The Cougars hit the road on Tuesday to play Radford, then return home to host the Bobcats on Monday, March 26. Junior varsity action will get underway for both contests at 5 pm, with the varsity action getting under way at 7 pm.