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By Robert Balajadia
The Guam High Panthers boys soccer team enjoyed a great evening of all-around scoring as they defeated the Okkodo Bulldogs 6-1 at the Bulldog home field Wednesday. Guam High scored three goals in the first 25 minutes of the first half while adding three more in the second half to lock in the win.
Panthers Trever Riney had two goals, one in each half, and he gives credit to their Wednesday evening performance to the coaching of Rhoda Bamba and the teams overall jelling.
“Our coach kept teaching us to use our wingers. In the beginning of the season we didn’t do that, we tried to attack up the middle and that’s where most of our losses came from. Throughout the season we started to become a team and by using our wings we started finding goals,” said Riley.
Luke Reeder broke in the games first score for Guam High in the 10th minute as he managed to dance his way through the defense. Riley then added on the second goal in the 17th minute as the Panthers controlled the game in the early goings.
Panthers’ Nick Andersen then took advantage late in the half as he was able to set up shop inside the box with the Bulldog defense waiting to react. Andersen let go a decent, but slow and high arching shot that went at straight through the Bulldog goalie to go up 3-0.
Bulldogs Aiden Ferrera fights through contact. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Okkodo then tried to put together a rally in the second half as Logan Mance managed to get a score in off a free kick from 25 yards out. The ball bounced once inside the box which made the Panther defense and goalie mistime their attempt to save he ball, giving the Bulldogs their first score of the game.
Then, Bulldogs’ Jaythaniel Cruz got a gold look at a goal after teammate Aiden Ferrera made a move that got the ball past the goalie and defense, but Cruz put a little too much on the shot, sending it way over the goal post.
Okkodo failed to take control of a corner kick which bounced off one of their own defenders, scoring an own goal to put the Panthers up 4-1.
Guam High’s Erret Bainum then found success in the 70th minute off a long shot from 25 yards out to go up 5-1. Riney then added the final touch as teammate Henry Haight’s two shots were blocked, though it opened up the way for Riney to score.
The Panthers now stand at (7-4) on the season while the Bulldogs drop to (2-5-3). The recent success that the Panthers have found is giving the team confidence that they can hang with the leagues other top talent.
“With the gradual increase in wins, I believe we have a great chance at taking 1st place. Our second half is always our better half, and though there wasn’t a lot of talking in the second half, we still managed to get great goals out of it. We just seem to work together better in the second half,” ended Riley.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Panthers Zack Olmstead readies to defensed a corner kick. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Bulldogs Austin Blaz dribbles through the Panther defense. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
Bulldogs Carlo Cortez and Leon Bamba battle for possession. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
DID U KNOW?
Frank ‘The Crank’ Camacho was a competitive youth golfer in Saipan with dreams of making it to the PGA.
QUICK HITS
(AP/Carlos Osorio)
