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closePanthers battle to a draw against Trojans
Bonney Lake’s boys soccer squad finishes a game knotted in a tie for the fourth time this season
Shaun Scott
The Bonney Lake Panthers boys soccer team appeared to be in control with only five minutes remaining in regulation against the Auburn Trojans. Two second half goals from the feet of Panthers senior forward Paul McMullen in the 52nd and 60th minute gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead with 20 minutes left in the contest.
Much to the dismay of the Panthers, the Trojans tied the game with two minutes left after gaining possession of a loose ball five yards in front of Panthers freshman goalie Alex Hall before a Trojans forward uncorked a shot tying the game at 2-2, which was the final goal of the contest on April 7 at Bonney Lake High School.
This was the fourth time a Panthers’ soccer contest has ended in a tie this season.
“All year we’ve had a really tough time closing the deal. We’ve won two games, lost two games and have tied the rest,” Panthers coach Luke Helling-Christy said. “We’ve been working toward getting over the hump but we’ve been unable to do it. We’re not winning, we’re not losing, but we’re tying. We’ll keep on pushing toward the goal of playing a complete game. We will get there.”
McMullen, who walked off the field with a gauze in his nose to stop blood from flowing from his left nostril, couldn’t believe his team squandered another chance to come up with a victory.
“I definitely thought we had this one,” McMullen said. “It’s getting frustrating. I’m tired of it. I want us to start winning.”
Helling-Christy said he thinks his team sometimes gets anxious in the closing minutes of games.
“With five minutes left in the game I was saying to the team, ‘Keep possession of the ball, keep possession of the ball.’ I wanted us to play keep away for those last five minutes. If they don’t touch the ball they can’t score was the thinking,” Helling-Christy said. “I think sometimes we get a little to antsy and try to score when we need to just close the game out.”
Despite giving up two goals, Hall played a spectacular game compiling 12 saves in only his second start between the posts. Hall’s back-to-back saves in the 74th and 77th minute mirrored plays made by premier goalie’s in the South Puget Sound League.
“I thought Alex did a great job back there. He made all the saves that he could of made,” Helling-Christy said. “The ones that hit the back of net weren’t his fault. It’s a total team game.”
McMullen agreed with his coaches’ assessment regarding Hall.
“He’s only a freshman and he’s looking good back there for us,” McMullen said. “He’s building his game up and is getting stronger. That bodes well for the future of the program.”
Helling-Christy said his squad was looking forward to their rivalry game against Sumner on April 9. As of press time results of the contest were unavailable.
“We got a big game against Sumner on Wednesday,” Helling-Christy said. “I see a lot of potential out there for us. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”