NEWPORT- Both the Tigers and Wildcats’ boys soccer programs have had trouble scoring goals this season. Each team is strong defensively, however, and both played to their strengths Wednesday, forcing the game into double-overtime, which ended in a 1-1 tie.
The Wildcats were the aggressors early, as attacking players Billy Wilder, Hunter Paquette and Wyatt Lord were putting immediate pressure on Newport’s keeper Garrett Harold. Newport’s head coach Caleb Godwin has stressed defensive tactics this season , and with a strong and very quick to the ball backline, that plan worked well all day.
“I’ve stressed that we focus on defense first and this team has really embraced that and have played well,” said Godwin after the game. With the FM attack extending for long periods of time in the Newport zone, a quick counter attack led to a loose ball in the FM zone. Tiger’s left striker, Isaac Lafayette gathered in the rock and blasted a shot that found the upper far corner to give Newport a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats continued to control and press play after the Newport goal. Paquette’s blast sailed high and Lord’s header was just wide as Harold continued to make great decisions in net for the Tigers. The 1-0 score lasted into the half.
“We had some chances in the early going but we just couldn’t finish,” said FM’s head coach Josh Beer.
Newport started the second half looking to increase their lead, as Cooper Skarin’s blast off a corner rebound forced FM’s keeper Joey Leining to make a quick save. FM came storming back as Wilder rang the post but the Tigers’ defense of Ben Gallagher, Mike Wilkinson and Jarred Meyette was bending but not breaking.
With 18 minutes remaining, the ball ended up down the middle of the field off a goal kick from FM which Wilder trapped and fired a quick shot that beat Harold for the tying goal. The Wildcats were looking for the go-ahead goal late. Lord’s bid whistled just wide and another hit the post by FM, keeping the score knotted. Newport had a chance to gain the lead back as a perfect cross slipped just under the foot of a streaking Lafayette on the empty side of the goal as the grass was starting to become wet.
Both teams had their chances in the first overtime period, as Lord missed just wide for FM and Newport’s Skarin rang a shot off the cross bar. The Wildcats carried momentum again for much of the second overtime period as Wilder, Lord and Eryll Brennan all placed shots on goal. But Harold made great leaping saves to keep the game tied. Newport coach Godwin who AD Jeff Miller noted is the winningest coach in the program’s history was pleased with his teams overall effort.
“I think this group really works hard, is very motivated and this is one of the best I have seen this year,” said Godwin. “With 2 seniors on this team… they have a promising future”. On the FM side of the field, coach Beer was optimistic with his team’s effort, saying, “I thought we played our game today and our spacing and shot selection was very good, we just couldn’t capitalize on the pressure. Newport is a much improved team and today was a real battle for 100 minutes.”
Fall Mountain (0-4-1) gets right back into action on Thursday when they will head to Hillsboro-Deering (3-2), while Newport (1-4-1) heads to Concord Christian (3-1) on Friday.
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