With high expectations and a tough schedule in 2006, the
Lees-McRae College Bobcats soccer team got off on the right foot
Friday evening in their season opener. Hosting Francis Marion
University Patriots, the Bobcats cruised to a 4-1 victory in front
of 250 fans at Tate Field.
The teams traded punches early in the contest, each
getting quality scoring opportunities. Berin Boracic rifled a shot
of the crossbar in the 22nd minute while Bobcats keeper Dylan
Lawrence made a goal saving dive in the 35th minute to keep the
game scoreless. Patriot's keep Nick Krywyj, played well for the
visitors making some key saves early in the game as the game
remained scoreless until the 38th minute. With the Bobcats moving
up field in transition, team captains Diego Cordiero and Matt Lacey
connected to put the home side up 1-0. Just past the center line,
Cordiero served a great ball into the streaking Lacey who beat the
challenging Krywyj for the goal. The goal was Lacey's first of his
collegiate career; however he would not be satisfied with just
one. In the 39th minute he connected with Nathan Wall at the top
of the 18-yard box to beat a stunned Krywyj for a quick two goal
lead. Wall, with his back to the goal, corralled a loose ball, fed
Lacey with his heel who made no mistake for his second of the game,
as well as his career. The quick lead halted the Patriots for a
few minutes, however, they were able to rebound and finish the half
strong but unable to beat Lawrence in the Bobcats goal.
To start the second half, the Bobcats pounced on mistakes
made by the Patriots to go up 3-0 only three minutes into the
half. James Worsnop broke up the Patriots transition up field at
center and fed a streaking Boracic who proceeded to cut across the
field. Using his speed, Boracic beat his man wide and buried a
shot past Krywyj to the far corner in the game's 48th minute. Not
to be out done by his teammate, Boracic again found the back of the
goal a minute after his first as did Lacey earlier. Deep in the
corner to the left of Krywyj, Boracic beat his man one on one with
his speed, only to have a second defender challenge. Unfortunately
for the Patriots, that second defender could only trail the speedy
Boracic as he sent a bullet past Krywyj from just inside the
18-yard box. Boracic's quick tallies seemed to take the wind out
of the Patriots' sails.
With the score 4-0, the Bobcats clicked into cruise control
and dictated the tempo of the remainder of the game. The Bobcats
continued to penetrate and pressure for more goals, the best
opportunity coming off of the foot of Kyle McGimsey who fired a
shot from 25 yards out the hooked left and struck the post behind
the Patriots' Krywyj. Although the game was out of reach, the
Patriot's battled to put a goal on the board and were finally able
to solve Lawrence in the 69th minute as Kyle Clinton capitalized on
a poor Bobcats clearing attempt and put home a shot from the top of
the 18-yard box. The goal seemed to energize the visitors as they
had two other quality chances, the first on a partial breakaway in
the 71st minute before Johnny Bownes sped back and made an
excellent slide tackle, and the second a header off of a corner
kick in the 80th minute. Ricky Jackson covered the far post for
Lawrence and headed the ball out of harm's way to keep the score at
4-1 in favor of the hosts.
After the game, Bobcats Head Coach said, "It's a great way
to start the season. We're pleased to play well at home in front
of a good size crowd tonight. Boracic and Lacey both took
advantages of their opportunities tonight and Dylan looks really
strong between the pipes for us. We've got to refocus our
attention on UNCP however and go from there."
The Bobcats will continue their season Sunday when they host
UNC-Pembroke in a 2:00p.m. matinee.
