WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

With the season coming to a close, Mineral Springs and Hanes middle schools looked to end the year on a high note.  Mineral Springs won the game with a late second-half goal and held on late to win the game 1-0.

The Bulldogs started off the game aggressively getting off multiple shots on goal but the Hanes goalie was up to the task and stopped them all.  With the Dragon goalie out of position in the middle of the first half, William Uraga of Mineral Springs had a great opportunity to put his team on the board first but missed the shot wide left.

For the rest of the half, both teams went back and forth trying to penetrate the others defense unsuccessfully.  Hanes had a golden opportunity to take the lead right before the whistle but missed high.

Head coach Ralph Pearson said after a rough season he was happy that his team played well and his team gave everything they had.

“Today I told my team we have nothing else to lose,” said Pearson.  “I told them we have to just go out play hard and let the final whistle determine the outcome.”

After the break, the Dragons were first to have a good chance at breaking the 0-0 tie but once again the shot went awry.  Hanes forward Cedric Webster had a breakaway chance at goal but it was saved by the Mineral Springs goalkeeper.

With both teams struggling to crack the scoreboard, Mineral Springs went on the attack and finally scored on a beautiful crossing pass placed right in front of the net. Jonathan Martinez-Alcantara played the ball off of his chest and got the ball past the goalkeeper.

Coach Pearson said he was not surprised they were able to score the goal in that fashion because they have been practicing passing the ball in front of the goal and collapsing his offense there.

Mineral Springs had a chance to extend the lead when they were fouled inside the box and was awarded a penalty kick but Hanes goalkeeper Ben Reid made the save and kept his team in the game. Late in the game Hanes had their own chance at a penalty kick that would have tied the game and that kick was unsuccessful.

The Bulldog defense held off any attacks from the Dragon offense late in the game and protected their one goal lead.  Hanes head coach Rebecca Hicks says her team played hard and hustled all game.

“I think our defense was great. We came out strong in the first half and even stronger in the second,” said Hicks.  “I appreciate the boys keeping up their resolve throughout the game even though we lost.”

Hicks says they are a young team and liked the way her team came together during the season.

Coach Pearson said his team was poised and consistent all year long.  He thinks the sportsmanship they displayed was admirable and he stressed it all season.

“There are times you learn something from losing, so at the end of the day its not all about winning,” said Pearson.  “Its about going out there and giving it all you have and doing the best you can. The kids never quit and I’ve always told them winners never quit and quitters never win.”