War Eagles Abuse Bulldogs – Humane Society to Investigate

@Live Oak – Saturday, November 17th, 2007
Wakulla War Eagles 4; Suwannee Bulldogs 2

{sidebar id=1}The early morning departure for Live Oak was greeted with bitter cold temperatures hovering uncharacteristically near the freezing point. By the time the varsity match ended, the temperature in the bleachers was comfortable whereas the heat upon the pitch was still quite intense.

Once District 2; Class 4A bracket opponents facing off annually in intense soccer matches and football games (those requiring pads and helmets), the rivalry continued Saturday as Wakulla invaded Live Oak on Saturday for a non-district match.

By the time the bitter match ended, twenty-four fouls would be called and seven yellow cards issued upon both teams.

Ryan Smith nearly put the War Eagles ahead during the second minute of action with two strikes on frame forcing Suwannee Goalkeeper Jake Hayes (72 Minutes / 13 Saves) to immediately make saves and keeping him on his toes for most of the match.

With a quick counter, the Bulldogs marked their territory first during the fourth minute as a missed defensive clearance landed at the feet of Suwannee’s Marshall Boggus. From twelve yards out and a crowded goal, Boggus sent the shot past the screened Wakulla Goalkeeper.

With a through ball into space by Nick Baxter, Zach Swain nearly tied the match three minutes later for Wakulla only to have his shot deceive him and sail wide left narrowly missing the side post.

With exception of an additional shot on goal (21st minute) by the Bulldogs, the War Eagles would dominate possession and outshoot their opponents
by a margin of 15 – 2 during the first half.

Patrick Stewart and Raleigh Clarke nearly equaled the match during the 14th and 15th minutes respectively, only to find the Suwannee Goalkeeper up to the task. From his defensive position, Shane Davis freed teammate Ryan Smith for a another shot only to have the blast bounce with a resounding thud off the woodwork.

Awarded a corner kick during the 23rd minute, Wakulla’s Nick Baxter sent a perfect ball backpost as Ryan Smith (assist) leaped higher than the much taller defender and sent the sphere back across the face of the goal with a glancing header. Alertly trapping the ball and before anybody could react, Eliot Seidler sent the globe into orbit within the rear of the netting tying the match.

Quickly starting a counter attack during the 27th minute, Goalkeeper Matt Reich (3 Saves; 3 P/C) threw the ball towards the sideline for Raleigh Clarke to run onto. Dribbling past the half-field line and drawing the Bulldog defense, Clarke passed to teammate Ryan Smith (assist). Smith sent a ball into space finding Patrick Stewart making a diagonal run. After easily beating several defenders, Stewart placed the ball past the diving keeper as the War Eagles took a 2 – 1 lead.

Like a balloon, the wind was let out of the Bulldogs for the remainder of the half. Fortunately for Suwannee and despite Wakulla recording an additional seven shots, the War Eagles could not put the rabid Bulldogs away.

With a strong defensive presence, the War Eagles would again dominate possession and prevent Suwannee from even recording a shot on frame until the 73rd minute.

Ryan Smith would earn his third assist of the match during the 48th minute. Taking a well-placed pass from a midfielder Smith ran up the sideline before making a square pass towards Patrick Stewart. With the Bulldog keeper having committed, Stewart easily placed the ball past the beaten keeper for the War Eagles third goal.

The War Eagles final goal of the match occurred during the 67th minute. An aggressive Trevor Nason was fouled heavily just outside the box resulting in a direct kick from an angle twenty yards from goal.

Initiating a set piece, Nason, Nick Baxter and Raleigh Clarke formed a triangle behind the ball. Nason and Baxter both ran over the ball as the defense responded to the faint attacks only for Raleigh Clarke to place the ball around the wall and inside the near post.

Wakulla Goalkeeper Matt Reich’s day was finished unexpectedly during the 75th minute of action. Chad Herold (2 Saves) stood up to the challenge and withstood a barrage of shots during the last four minutes of the match.

A late blunder allowed Suwannee’s Matthew Pennington (assist) to find teammate Ty Smith alone near the back post. Back towards the direction of the pass, Smith nailed the shot near post and just under the Wakulla keeper.

The War Eagles host district rival Panama City Bay on Tuesday (Nov 20th) at 7:00 PM.

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

Additional WHS Men’s Varsity soccer information can be obtained from…

http://www.eurosportscoreboard.com/cgi-bin/sicrtsc.pl?Type=h&State=fl&Ranka=1&sno=4385&Gender=s&Season=07&Sport=s

Submitted by:

John Reich
WHS Men’s Soccer Booster Club – President
Public Relations / Statmeister
926-5970
DAD_316@yahoo.com

This article originally published on November 19, 2007.

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