Sports
Let's get physical
Lucky shot gives Willcox edge
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Benson High School soccer coach Gary Douglas said last week's 2A East Conference rival game against Willcox started out as a regular soccer game, but turned into so much more.
"It started as a soccer game, but turned into a rugby match, and that's all I really have to say about it," Douglas said days after the game.
The Bobcats lost the conference game 3-2, thanks mainly to a first-half lucky shot from midfield.
After an intense first few minutes of play, Guy Black for Benson carried a Willcox defender downfield, shooting for the center of the goal, giving Benson a 1-0 lead.
Seconds later, the ball was taken to midfield and Willcox popped it into the air toward the Benson goal. Kjel Gudvangen wasn't ready, and by the time he was, it had sailed over his head and in for the tying score. Gudvangen had 7 saves in the game.
Willcox scored two more goals before the end of the half to take a 3-2 lead.
In the second half, Benson worked to keep the Willcox offense in check and had more goal shots to try to even the score.
But while trying to get back into the game, the Bobcats were faced with a tough, physical Willcox team. From the sidelines, Douglas requested that several Willcox players be carded, and in one case specifically asking the referee, "How many players do I have to cart off of this field?"
Willcox was carded at least three times, and one player was ejected, but Benson lost several players to injury.
Black was hit the face with not one, but two direct shots in the game. In the second half, he was taken off the field holding his nose.
Two other players were also carted off the field by the end of the game. Douglas' frustration with Willcox players and the referees was apparent as the game continued.
In the second half, Benson had several opportunities to tie the game, but three goals that were on track sailed just wide to the left.
As time ticked down, Marcos Macias found the goal to cut the Cowboys' lead to one.
The Bobcats had several other chances before the end of the game, but couldn't find the needed score to tie the game.
The next time Benson plays Willcox, on Oct. 20, Douglas said they will get more physical.
"We will need to play a bit more physically to match their play," he said. "We gave up three goals in the first half where Willcox capitalized on three big mistakes. You can't make mistakes against good teams and expect to win."
This week, the Bobcats will host the Academy of Tucson at 4 p.m. Thursday and will compete in the Desert Christian Old Pueblo Classic this weekend.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Benson High School soccer coach Gary Douglas said last week's 2A East Conference rival game against Willcox started out as a regular soccer game, but turned into so much more.
"It started as a soccer game, but turned into a rugby match, and that's all I really have to say about it," Douglas said days after the game.
The Bobcats lost the conference game 3-2, thanks mainly to a first-half lucky shot from midfield.
After an intense first few minutes of play, Guy Black for Benson carried a Willcox defender downfield, shooting for the center of the goal, giving Benson a 1-0 lead.
Seconds later, the ball was taken to midfield and Willcox popped it into the air toward the Benson goal. Kjel Gudvangen wasn't ready, and by the time he was, it had sailed over his head and in for the tying score. Gudvangen had 7 saves in the game.
Willcox scored two more goals before the end of the half to take a 3-2 lead.
In the second half, Benson worked to keep the Willcox offense in check and had more goal shots to try to even the score.
But while trying to get back into the game, the Bobcats were faced with a tough, physical Willcox team. From the sidelines, Douglas requested that several Willcox players be carded, and in one case specifically asking the referee, "How many players do I have to cart off of this field?"
Willcox was carded at least three times, and one player was ejected, but Benson lost several players to injury.
Black was hit the face with not one, but two direct shots in the game. In the second half, he was taken off the field holding his nose.
Two other players were also carted off the field by the end of the game. Douglas' frustration with Willcox players and the referees was apparent as the game continued.
In the second half, Benson had several opportunities to tie the game, but three goals that were on track sailed just wide to the left.
As time ticked down, Marcos Macias found the goal to cut the Cowboys' lead to one.
The Bobcats had several other chances before the end of the game, but couldn't find the needed score to tie the game.
The next time Benson plays Willcox, on Oct. 20, Douglas said they will get more physical.
"We will need to play a bit more physically to match their play," he said. "We gave up three goals in the first half where Willcox capitalized on three big mistakes. You can't make mistakes against good teams and expect to win."
This week, the Bobcats will host the Academy of Tucson at 4 p.m. Thursday and will compete in the Desert Christian Old Pueblo Classic this weekend.
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