By Asha Marie Robles

The Okkodo Bulldogs boys soccer team started their season off with a big 3-1 win over the Simon Sanchez Sharks on Saturday November 1st at the Bulldogs home field. Bulldogs head coach Joey San Nicolas stated that although this is his first year to coach the Bulldogs, they are all already physically fit and can keep up the pace with any of the other high school teams in the league.

“This game was a good opener. We worked our game plan by not giving Sanchez the ball, however it’s just the beginning of the season so we’ll see”, San Nicolas added.

The game started and ended in favor of the Bulldogs as they kept possession of the ball throughout the match. During the beginning of the first half, Bulldogs captain Jacy Bravo took the ball towards the Sharks keeper looking for a shot inside the box. However, a Sharks defender would put a stop to Bravo’s attempt with a foul, allowing Bravo a penalty kick, which he made to give his team the 1-0 lead.

“Because I am the captain this year, making that first goal was very important. I felt that I helped my team get a good start”, stated Bravo.

Bulldogs Jacy Bravo scores the first goal of the game off a free kick. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Not too long after Bravo’s goal, teammate Jaythaniel Cruz put one into the net after the Sharks keeper deflected a shot by another Bulldog, allowing Cruz to get the rebound.

The rest of the first half saw many shot attempts by the Bulldogs and a few good looks from the Sharks as well. However with time ticking to end the half, both teams could not seem to find the back of the net.

During the second half of the match, the Bulldogs once again started off strong as Angelo Cortez banked in a header off of a corner kick giving his team their final goal at 3-0 in the 55th minute.

The Bulldogs and Sharks continued to battle it out as both teams seemed to equally stand out majority the second half. Though the Sharks stepped up their pace and ball control, finishing shots came harder for them as Bulldog defender protected their keeper and their goal.

However, in the 76th minute, Sharks sophomore Anthony Castro would gave his team their lone goal by tapping a loose ball into the goal after teammate Ryan Dimutatac’s shot was deflected by the Bulldog’s keeper.

The final minutes of the second half would go unscored as both teams came close to a few goals but could not pass both keepers.

Bulldog captain Bravo acknowledged his teammates for a job well done and stated, “We did good, but like always, you can always do better and we can definitely do better.”

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Sharks Ryan Dimutatac and Anthony Castro try to capitalize on a free ball. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

(photo by Robert Balajadia)

Bulldogs goalie saves a near score from Sharks Anthony Castro. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Sharks Anthony Castro puts the moves on as the Bulldog defense closes in. (photo by Robert Balajadia)