Steers soccer falls 4-2 at Kennedale
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(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Junior Donal Lopez fires a ball up the field to his teammates during one of Graham’s games earlier this season. On Monday, Jan. 8, the Steers traveled to take on Kennedale High School but came home with a 4-2 loss. -
(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A host of Graham Steers jump into the air for a ball, looking for an opportunity to score during one of the team’s games earlier this season. The Steers lost to Kennedale 4-2 this past Monday, Jan. 8. -
(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham defenders look to protect against a ball coming near the goal during one of the team’s games earlier this season. The Steers took on the Kennedale Wildcats this past Monday, Jan. 8 but lost 4-2.
Coming off a big win and immediately playing a road game can be tough, as the Steers discovered when they traveled to Kennedale to take on the Wildcats.
Graham struggled out of the gate Monday, Jan. 8 and couldn’t overcome the slow start as the Steers fell to the home-team Wildcats 4-2 to take their second loss of the season.
As stated, the Steers’ evening started out with a somewhat lackluster defensive effort. The Wildcats jumped out to a quick lead in the first 10 minutes of the game as they scored three goals against the Steers, the first within the first 90 seconds of gametime.
In the opening two minutes of the game, Graham fouled one of Kennedale’s attackers and allowed an early penalty kick. The Wildcats converted and quickly led 1-0.
The Graham defense struggled to get into a rhythm and couldn’t come up with an answer to stop Kennedale’s offensive attack. In the minutes after the first penalty kick goal, the Steers allowed two more goals and with about 70 minutes of game to play already trailed 3-0.
After such a fast and unprecedented start, the Steers locked in and played a much stronger defense the rest of the game. Graham only allowed one more goal in the first half which made things 4-0, but it wouldn’t get worse than that.
The Steers did have one opportunity to score in the first half on a penalty kick of their own, but it missed the goal. After 40 minutes of play, the Steers trailed 4-0 but looked to turn things around in the second half.
Throughout the second half the Steers looked like a different team, especially on defense. Graham didn’t allow another goal the rest of the game and controlled time of possession while outshooting Kennedale as well.
Graham received some offensive help from a couple of their seniors as Jesus Lucio and Holton Weatherman each scored goals in the second half to cut into the deficit facing the team.
But while the team played better overall, the early 4-0 deficit was too much to overcome as the Steers came away with a 4-2 loss.
“We never laid down after those three setbacks (in the opening minutes) and in the second half we outplayed and dominated them, our counter attacks were all they could handle,” head coach Tim Wankowicz said. “...It’s the first time this year that our defense really stepped it up and played with really good intensity, purpose and determination to stop all penetration.”
With a long season still ahead of them, including a home game Monday, Jan. 15 against Bridgeport at 5:45 p.m., the Steers will look to put together a complete game and find themselves on the other side of these outcomes.
“If they (the Steers) can play like that for a full 80 minutes we will be just fine this year,” Wankowicz said.
