Shawnee at Bluffton
Junior
Varsity
Shawnee 3 Bluffton 1
Shawnee and Bluffton is one of the areas quiet rivalries. Both schools have built a tradition of strong soccer programs. If the action in todays JV contest is any indication, that tradition will continue in the years to come.. The JV match was played in a light but steady rain and unseasonably warm temperatures. Neither team seemed to mind as the action was fast and furious from the start.
It took all of 1:22 for the Pirates to open the scoring as #11 Philip Tatarkov finished at the back post off a cross from the left flank. The cross originated from Antony Kingsley, was deflected by Eli Bourassa and on to Tatarkov who volleyed the ball into the net. Give credit when and where it is due - this was a pretty goal.
The Bluffton lead lasted for less than a minute as Shawnee responded with a goal of its own :56 later. Austin B. Davis played Trenton Ward in along the right flank from where he got off a beautiful cross. Tobie Azeez timed his run toward the back post perfectly to head the ball into the net and even the score.
Much of the remainder of the half was contest in the middle third of the field. Each team had opportunities but Shawnee goalkeeper Logan Spieles and Bluffton goalkeeper Levi Smith were up to the task. Despite the rain and some slipping by players the weather and field conditions did not seem to dramatically impact play. The pitch held up well overall. This was just two good teams going at one another with neither gaining an advantage.
The second half started out much as the first half ended with neither team able to establish its attack well enough to break through the opponents defense. As can often be the case when the action is fast and physical it also appeared to be nearly out of control at times as space and time to play in were at a premium for both teams.
In the games 48th minute Shawnee's Ore Omitowoju was able to get a foot on a bouncing ball and chipped the Pirate defense. Matt Dailey ran onto and through the ball into the penalty area and finished to the side netting at the right post. It was the type of quick strike play that often occurs when the game is evenly contested and a bit frenetic.
Just as Shawnee responded strongly to Bluffton's early goal in the first half, the Pirates immediately begin to apply heavy pressure to the Indians defense. In the 53rd minute Indian goalkeeper Logan Spieles made a fantastic save of a Bluffton Direct Free Kick taken at a distance of 40 yards on his left flank. Spieles had to jump and punch the ball over the net to keep the Pirates from tying the match.
Then in the 59th minute Levi Dahlke made a great recovery run onto Pirate striker Josh Begg who was in on goal. Executing a perfect shoulder tackle Dahlke got just enough ball to deflect it wide of goal into the corner of the field from where Jon Kesner was able to clear it.
That defensive stand sparked a series of play that eventually saw Shawnee's Landon DeMoss get free on the right flank. DeMoss took the ball towards goal engaging the Bluffton keeper before blasting a low laser of a shot. Smith made the initial block but the ball's momentum carried it past him and into the net for an Indian goal.
With a now commanding 3-1 lead and time ticking away the Indians kept the pressure on the Pirates by continuing to attack. Bluffton began to force the action a bit and while the Pirates did get down the Shawnee flanks a couple more times they did not again seriously threaten the Indians goal. With the victory the Indians move to 12-3 on the season. Congratulations gentlemen!
The Indians will close out their season on Thursday October 10, 2013 at home against Wapakoneta. Good Luck Indians!
Varsity
Shawnee 2 Bluffton 3
The rains stopped as the varsity sides took to the pitch for the anticipated match up of two solid-- programs. Bluffton entered the contest with a mark of 9-4-0 while Shawnee carried a record of 8-4-2 into todays action. The pitch was wet but in good shape overall as the contest got underway.
Each team scored quick goals in the JV contest to get things rolling. Unfortunately it was a player from each team suffering injuries before everyone got settled in the varsity match. Shawnee defender Jack O'Connor had his legs swept from behind in front of the referee and went down instantly. For some unknown reason not only was a yellow card not issued but a foul was not even called. Just seconds after play resumed Bluffton forward Andrew Demellweek appeared to sprain an ankle. Both players would later to return to action.
Bluffton had a bit better run of play during the opening minutes but Shawnee began asserting itself as the game progressed. For the half Shawnee definitely had the better run of play, but as a veteran coach in the stands scouting the teams noted - Shawnee left too many goals on the field. In what has become an on-going issue the Indians crossed the ball well but time and again there was no one to play the cross or finish the play at the net.
The Pirates best threat in the first half was turned back by Lance Brown who swept in from his right back position to win a through ball played in behind the center backs. Just as not getting people into the opponents penalty area to finish crosses has dogged the Indians attack, overly aggressive play by the center backs especially stepping too early when the Shawnee midfielders do not have pressure on the ball and wandering from their assigned channels in their defending third continues to haunt the defense.
The match went to half with the teams tied at 0 - 0. The defenses had held well, but one got the impression there were goals to be had. The game would likely come down to which team made better tactical adjustments during halftime. That question was answered loud and clear in the opening minutes of the second half.
As is becoming a pattern for opposing teams, Bluffton came out with an obvious intent to test Shawnee's freshman defender Jack O'Connor. In this case the Pirates matched their all-state forward Stephen Tatarkov up against O'Connor with quick and devastating results. In the games 47th minute Taratkov received the ball back to goal directly in front of goal and at a distance of 22 yards, turned inside to his left and rocketed a low shot toward Shawnee's right post and into the net giving the Pirates a 1 - 0 lead.
Less than a minute later Tatarkov was in behind the center backs again before Lance Brown came across from his right back position to sweep the ball away allowing the Indians to dodge another bullet. The Pirates won the ball back and as Brown hustled to regain positioning as the right back Bluffton found Tatarkov lurking in front of the back post at a distance of 12 yards. Brown distracted Taratkov enough to affect his shot and allow Indian keeper Troy Brinkman to make the diving save at the right post.
The reprieve was short lived as in the 49th minute Tatarkov scored again on an almost identical play to the one that resulted in the first Bluffton goal. Receiving the ball at a distance of about 20 yards directly in front of the goal and in front of the Shawnee center back, Tatarkov again spun to his left and rifled home a shot this time to the upper 90 at Shawnee's right post.
Shawnee found themselves down 0 - 2 and shell shocked by the Bluffton / Tatartkov blitzkrieg attack. Things were about to get worse. Once again the Pirates attacked the middle of the Shawnee defense and in the 50th minute were again rewarded. This time center back Evan Bell was called for a questionable handling call in the Indians penalty area. Tatarkov stepped to the mark, went to his right and buried the shot into the back of the net.
Three Bluffton Pirate goals in under 4 minutes of action. A tremendous performance by Stephen Tatarkov. An unsettling series of breakdowns for the Shawnee Indians directly in front of their own goal. I have seen teams hang their heads and look to just get through the rest of a game to play another day when facing similar adversity. That wouldn't be the case today.
It is somewhat rare to see a high school soccer player put a team on his back and lift their play in a big game. We had just witnessed Stephen Tatarkov do so and we were about to see Shawnee senior Brennan Gaffer answer.
Entering the game as a substitute Gaffer brought energy and a sense of urgency to the Indians. He also played with great composure and poise bringing a calming effect to the Tribe's efforts. In the 56th minute, finding himself surrounded by three Pirate defenders on the left flank Gaffer played a beautiful diagonal ball to Alex Clark alone in front of the goal at a distance of about 25 yards. Clark engaged Bluffton goalkeeper Joseph Schriner and got a shot off. Schriner deflected the ball but with great determination Clark found the loose ball and headed it home for the Indians first goal.
Less than six minutes later Gaffer again fought through traffic on the left flank to cross the ball. The ball was again deflected and an opportunistic Austin Bruns was at the back post to tap it in bringing Shawnee to within a goal.
Unfortunately that is where the Indians attack lost steam. They would threaten several more times especially down the right flank where Lance Brown and Ryan Roberts combined to initiate multiple attacks. On three separate occasions in the waning moments they were able to play teammates down the right flank or into the right side of the penalty area from where crosses were generated. The best of those opportunities came when Austin T Davis defeated multiple defenders in the right of the penalty area and was able to get off a bangoo cross from the end line. Unfortunately for Shawnee no one was positioned at the top of the 18 to run onto the ball and finish the play.
I have given a lot of credit to Brennan Gaffer and deservedly so, but many of the attacking players on the pitch with him were substitutes who took the responsibility of the second team to heart. Great job fellas! Great team effort.
From the Shawnee perspective the word for the day has to be frustration. They outplayed Bluffton for the majority of the match only to lose. Something that is a recurring theme in their losses and ties. Frustration over the same mistakes that have plagued the team throughout the season contributing to yet another setback. There must also be hope in their hearts and minds stemming from today's comeback effort and the knowledge that if they can eliminate the mistakes and make adjustments in how they frame the goal there is no one in the sectionals or districts they cannot defeat.
Bluffton improves to 10-4-0 on the season while Shawnee falls to 8-5-2. Keep your heads up Indians and work hard to improve. Good Luck against Wapakoneta on Thursday evening!
Shawnee 3 Bluffton 1
Shawnee and Bluffton is one of the areas quiet rivalries. Both schools have built a tradition of strong soccer programs. If the action in todays JV contest is any indication, that tradition will continue in the years to come.. The JV match was played in a light but steady rain and unseasonably warm temperatures. Neither team seemed to mind as the action was fast and furious from the start.
It took all of 1:22 for the Pirates to open the scoring as #11 Philip Tatarkov finished at the back post off a cross from the left flank. The cross originated from Antony Kingsley, was deflected by Eli Bourassa and on to Tatarkov who volleyed the ball into the net. Give credit when and where it is due - this was a pretty goal.
The Bluffton lead lasted for less than a minute as Shawnee responded with a goal of its own :56 later. Austin B. Davis played Trenton Ward in along the right flank from where he got off a beautiful cross. Tobie Azeez timed his run toward the back post perfectly to head the ball into the net and even the score.
Much of the remainder of the half was contest in the middle third of the field. Each team had opportunities but Shawnee goalkeeper Logan Spieles and Bluffton goalkeeper Levi Smith were up to the task. Despite the rain and some slipping by players the weather and field conditions did not seem to dramatically impact play. The pitch held up well overall. This was just two good teams going at one another with neither gaining an advantage.
The second half started out much as the first half ended with neither team able to establish its attack well enough to break through the opponents defense. As can often be the case when the action is fast and physical it also appeared to be nearly out of control at times as space and time to play in were at a premium for both teams.
In the games 48th minute Shawnee's Ore Omitowoju was able to get a foot on a bouncing ball and chipped the Pirate defense. Matt Dailey ran onto and through the ball into the penalty area and finished to the side netting at the right post. It was the type of quick strike play that often occurs when the game is evenly contested and a bit frenetic.
Just as Shawnee responded strongly to Bluffton's early goal in the first half, the Pirates immediately begin to apply heavy pressure to the Indians defense. In the 53rd minute Indian goalkeeper Logan Spieles made a fantastic save of a Bluffton Direct Free Kick taken at a distance of 40 yards on his left flank. Spieles had to jump and punch the ball over the net to keep the Pirates from tying the match.
Then in the 59th minute Levi Dahlke made a great recovery run onto Pirate striker Josh Begg who was in on goal. Executing a perfect shoulder tackle Dahlke got just enough ball to deflect it wide of goal into the corner of the field from where Jon Kesner was able to clear it.
That defensive stand sparked a series of play that eventually saw Shawnee's Landon DeMoss get free on the right flank. DeMoss took the ball towards goal engaging the Bluffton keeper before blasting a low laser of a shot. Smith made the initial block but the ball's momentum carried it past him and into the net for an Indian goal.
With a now commanding 3-1 lead and time ticking away the Indians kept the pressure on the Pirates by continuing to attack. Bluffton began to force the action a bit and while the Pirates did get down the Shawnee flanks a couple more times they did not again seriously threaten the Indians goal. With the victory the Indians move to 12-3 on the season. Congratulations gentlemen!
The Indians will close out their season on Thursday October 10, 2013 at home against Wapakoneta. Good Luck Indians!
Varsity
Shawnee 2 Bluffton 3
The rains stopped as the varsity sides took to the pitch for the anticipated match up of two solid-- programs. Bluffton entered the contest with a mark of 9-4-0 while Shawnee carried a record of 8-4-2 into todays action. The pitch was wet but in good shape overall as the contest got underway.
Each team scored quick goals in the JV contest to get things rolling. Unfortunately it was a player from each team suffering injuries before everyone got settled in the varsity match. Shawnee defender Jack O'Connor had his legs swept from behind in front of the referee and went down instantly. For some unknown reason not only was a yellow card not issued but a foul was not even called. Just seconds after play resumed Bluffton forward Andrew Demellweek appeared to sprain an ankle. Both players would later to return to action.
Bluffton had a bit better run of play during the opening minutes but Shawnee began asserting itself as the game progressed. For the half Shawnee definitely had the better run of play, but as a veteran coach in the stands scouting the teams noted - Shawnee left too many goals on the field. In what has become an on-going issue the Indians crossed the ball well but time and again there was no one to play the cross or finish the play at the net.
The Pirates best threat in the first half was turned back by Lance Brown who swept in from his right back position to win a through ball played in behind the center backs. Just as not getting people into the opponents penalty area to finish crosses has dogged the Indians attack, overly aggressive play by the center backs especially stepping too early when the Shawnee midfielders do not have pressure on the ball and wandering from their assigned channels in their defending third continues to haunt the defense.
The match went to half with the teams tied at 0 - 0. The defenses had held well, but one got the impression there were goals to be had. The game would likely come down to which team made better tactical adjustments during halftime. That question was answered loud and clear in the opening minutes of the second half.
As is becoming a pattern for opposing teams, Bluffton came out with an obvious intent to test Shawnee's freshman defender Jack O'Connor. In this case the Pirates matched their all-state forward Stephen Tatarkov up against O'Connor with quick and devastating results. In the games 47th minute Taratkov received the ball back to goal directly in front of goal and at a distance of 22 yards, turned inside to his left and rocketed a low shot toward Shawnee's right post and into the net giving the Pirates a 1 - 0 lead.
Less than a minute later Tatarkov was in behind the center backs again before Lance Brown came across from his right back position to sweep the ball away allowing the Indians to dodge another bullet. The Pirates won the ball back and as Brown hustled to regain positioning as the right back Bluffton found Tatarkov lurking in front of the back post at a distance of 12 yards. Brown distracted Taratkov enough to affect his shot and allow Indian keeper Troy Brinkman to make the diving save at the right post.
The reprieve was short lived as in the 49th minute Tatarkov scored again on an almost identical play to the one that resulted in the first Bluffton goal. Receiving the ball at a distance of about 20 yards directly in front of the goal and in front of the Shawnee center back, Tatarkov again spun to his left and rifled home a shot this time to the upper 90 at Shawnee's right post.
Shawnee found themselves down 0 - 2 and shell shocked by the Bluffton / Tatartkov blitzkrieg attack. Things were about to get worse. Once again the Pirates attacked the middle of the Shawnee defense and in the 50th minute were again rewarded. This time center back Evan Bell was called for a questionable handling call in the Indians penalty area. Tatarkov stepped to the mark, went to his right and buried the shot into the back of the net.
Three Bluffton Pirate goals in under 4 minutes of action. A tremendous performance by Stephen Tatarkov. An unsettling series of breakdowns for the Shawnee Indians directly in front of their own goal. I have seen teams hang their heads and look to just get through the rest of a game to play another day when facing similar adversity. That wouldn't be the case today.
It is somewhat rare to see a high school soccer player put a team on his back and lift their play in a big game. We had just witnessed Stephen Tatarkov do so and we were about to see Shawnee senior Brennan Gaffer answer.
Entering the game as a substitute Gaffer brought energy and a sense of urgency to the Indians. He also played with great composure and poise bringing a calming effect to the Tribe's efforts. In the 56th minute, finding himself surrounded by three Pirate defenders on the left flank Gaffer played a beautiful diagonal ball to Alex Clark alone in front of the goal at a distance of about 25 yards. Clark engaged Bluffton goalkeeper Joseph Schriner and got a shot off. Schriner deflected the ball but with great determination Clark found the loose ball and headed it home for the Indians first goal.
Less than six minutes later Gaffer again fought through traffic on the left flank to cross the ball. The ball was again deflected and an opportunistic Austin Bruns was at the back post to tap it in bringing Shawnee to within a goal.
Unfortunately that is where the Indians attack lost steam. They would threaten several more times especially down the right flank where Lance Brown and Ryan Roberts combined to initiate multiple attacks. On three separate occasions in the waning moments they were able to play teammates down the right flank or into the right side of the penalty area from where crosses were generated. The best of those opportunities came when Austin T Davis defeated multiple defenders in the right of the penalty area and was able to get off a bangoo cross from the end line. Unfortunately for Shawnee no one was positioned at the top of the 18 to run onto the ball and finish the play.
I have given a lot of credit to Brennan Gaffer and deservedly so, but many of the attacking players on the pitch with him were substitutes who took the responsibility of the second team to heart. Great job fellas! Great team effort.
From the Shawnee perspective the word for the day has to be frustration. They outplayed Bluffton for the majority of the match only to lose. Something that is a recurring theme in their losses and ties. Frustration over the same mistakes that have plagued the team throughout the season contributing to yet another setback. There must also be hope in their hearts and minds stemming from today's comeback effort and the knowledge that if they can eliminate the mistakes and make adjustments in how they frame the goal there is no one in the sectionals or districts they cannot defeat.
Bluffton improves to 10-4-0 on the season while Shawnee falls to 8-5-2. Keep your heads up Indians and work hard to improve. Good Luck against Wapakoneta on Thursday evening!
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