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(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Cooper Wilde lines up a shot near the goal during the Steers matchup Friday, Feb. 21 against the Bridgeport Bulls. Wilde helped the team to tie things up after it was down by three points. -
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jace Gill celebrates with Easton Hedge after Hedge made a goal for the Steers during the first half of the game Friday, Feb. 21 against Bridgeport. The Steers rallied to tie the game, but fell in a penalty shootout. -
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham’s goalie Ozzy Trejo focuses on a Bridgeport player attempting a shot during a penalty shootout Friday, Feb. 21. The Steers fell 8-9, but rallied and put up a fight at home. -
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Members of the Graham Steers and Bridgeport Bulls get into an altercation Friday, Feb. 21 which was broken up by teammates, officials and the Graham coaching staff. -
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Steers head coach Tim Wankowicz speaks with the team during their match against the Bridgeport Bulls at home Friday, Feb. 21. The Steers rallied but ultimately fell in a penalty shootout.
Tensions ran high and the Steers brought the same spirit they have shown all year to rally in the game Friday against Bridgeport, but despite that the team fell in a penalty shootout.
The Steers made it clear early on that they were not a team to be trifled with Friday, Feb. 21.
The team scored in the first four minutes of the first half with a cross by Easton Hedge bouncing off one of the Bridgeport defenders into the goal.
After a few close calls saved by Graham defenders and some close shots by Hedge, the Bulls tied things up with close to half of the time remaining in the half.
A red card was called on the goalie for Bridgeport who was subbed out and the Steers continued their pursuit across the field. Hedge brought the heat again, running down the field and past the goalie to bring the Steers ahead to 2-1, with less than 10 minutes on the clock.
It was not long before the Bulls responded with two other goals to put them ahead in moving into the second half at 2-3.
Things did not look good for Graham in the beginning of the second half, with Bridgeport scoring twice within the first five minutes. The Steers’ determination was strong and they were not going to let that slide.
Cooper Wilde ran past Bridgeport and made a goal and after some saves at the goal from Ozzy Trejo, Hedge managed to bring the Steers within one point after being down.
“Wilde fought hard to get the fourth goal and I believe that really lit a fire in these boys late,” Head coach Tim Wankowicz said. “It was awesome to see one of our young guys get one on the board.”
With 10 minutes left, Hedge brought the team back up and tied things up at 5-5. Wankowicz said the ferocity of the Steers to come back and win has been seen by the team throughout the season.
“Even when we lost 5-1 last time to these guys and to even Decatur we fought with everything we had. These guys hate to lose and it shows,” he said.
An altercation with five minutes remaining brought players from both teams clashing near the Steers’ sideline.
After being broken up by officials, teammates and coaches, one red card was given for each team.
At the end of the second half the game was tied and the fate of the match rested in a penalty shootout.
Things started off positive for the Steers with Hedge making the first goal, but the next two goals from Jace Gill and Kyson Bates missed.
The Bulls made their first three goals and Trejo brought a second goal for the Steers to bring the score to 7-8. Bridgeport missed the next goal and Wilde tied things up at 8-8.
The Bulls managed to score and the game ended with a final score of 8-9. The head coach said the team has improved throughout the season and will continue to improve.
“We’ve grown as a unit quite a bit. You can see guys starting to trust each other more and work together better, but that being said, we still have some growth and maturity to go,” Wankowicz said.
After traveling Tuesday, Feb. 25 to face Burkburnett, the Steers will take another trip Friday, Feb. 28 to Decatur with a 3 p.m. start time for JV and a 6 p.m. start time for varsity. Senior night and the final district game will be held at home Tuesday, March 4.
Wankowicz said the team’s heart makes them the stand out on the field and makes coaching them special.
“I absolutely love coaching this team and I love being on the sideline watching them grow and get better every time we play,” he said. “I like seeing our older guys be great leaders and our young guys be productive in so many aspects.”
