WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

With only two practices under their belt and heading into their first game of the year, the Kernersville Middle school boys soccer team had a few unanswered questions about their team as they took on Flat Rock Middle in a non-conference matchup last Tuesday, Sept. 20.

Kernersville fought hard throughout but fell to Flat Rock 4-2.

Early on in the game, neither team was able to establish any sort of constant pressure. Both offenses looked for openings but the defenses from both sides were strong.  As the half progressed, Flat Rock was able to push the ball forward into Kernersville territory and had a few shots on goal.  The Kernersville goalie was able to make several saves early on that kept the Hawks in the game. Kernersville was able to get on the scoreboard first when Tyler Williams scored off of a mistake made by the Flat Rock defense giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Both teams had chances to either push the lead further or tie the game but the goal-keepers on both teams played very well. At the end of the first half Kernersville led 1-0.

Kernersville head coach Melissa Guy says she was most impressed with her team’s effort and sportsmanship during the game.

“Our team was passing well, they were communicating and they were really hustling,” said Guy.  “We have some positional issues to work on.  This is a new team and 70 percent of them are seventh graders who are new to 11 v 11 so we are having to figure out who is going to play where and what.”

After the half, Flat Rock looked to tie up the game with multiple shots on goal but could not put the ball in the net. Kernersville was able to capitalize on their chance at goal when Trevor Howard scored and put them up 2-0.  Flat Rock was able to quickly answer with a goal by Fernando Hernandez, which closed the gap to 2-1.

The goal by Flat Rock seemed to wake up their offense as they began to play a bit looser.  Flat Rock Head Coach Miles Dishen says he told his team they were Okayduring halftime and they just had to continue to play and the goals will come.

“It was kind of unlucky and they were feeling a little down on themselves during halftime, but I told them that I could not have asked for a better half because they were playing exactly the way I wanted them to, the ball just wasn’t bouncing our way,” said Dishen.

Flat Rock was able to tie the game up when Emerson Herrara scored his first of two goals on the day.  Dishen says Herrara is a captain and one of his best players.

“He is our leader and our captain. He is a very smart and excellent player and he is a wonderful kid who isn’t selfish and he is what you want in a soccer player,” said Dishen.

Flat Rock was able to continue to apply pressure late in the second half. They were able to put two more goals on the board, giving them some breathing room late in the game.  Kernersville attempted to mount a comeback but were not able to muster any late magic.  Hawks coach Guy says that fatigue and conditioning played a role and her team ran out of gas late.  She says they will be better prepared as the season progresses.