Boys soccer faced the Orange Cove Titans in a non-league preseason game. The Eagles were 1-0 in preseason games up to this point and hope to continue winning.

The boys traveled to Orange Cove for this match up where, last year, the Eagles lost a playoff game to the Titans. This time the Eagles had a new team and another chance to take the victory.

The game started with both teams evenly skilled. Offense and defense were working hard for both teams due to the good match up. However, in the 11’ minute, the Eagle defense made a crucial error that led to a 0-1 lead for the Titans.

Realizing their error, the boys lined up again trying to regain their breath after a shocking first goal. However, the boys were not ready for another strong attack by the Titans. Orange Cove scored quickly after their first goal in the 12’ minute of the game which left the Eagles even more confused.

With the game as early on as it was, the Eagles did not count themselves out and still fought hard to get back into the game. A formation adjustment from Coach Matthew Markarian helped the boys with their offensive scheme.
Although the Eagles fought hard to stay in the game, they failed to deliver a goal and in the 72’ minute they gave up yet another goal making the score 0-3.

Coach Markarian knew that the Titans were a tough opponent but also realized that his team could be much better. Coach Markarian will further help the new players learn their jobs.

“I felt it was a pretty even game against a very strong opponent. We made a couple mistakes that eventually led to goals and because of that we couldn’t take the win. We can improve on our positional discipline. It is the beginning of the season and we have a group of new players that need to learn their spots a little better.”

After the loss, midfielder Jarrod Markarian, ’17, reflected on the team’s weakness and the turning point of the game.

“I think that our team needs to build its chemistry overall. We need to have that so that our passing gets better overall as well as in the midfield. And the turning point was when they scored their third goal. After that we knew that we couldn’t come back.”

The Eagles will played Central Valley Christian Dec. 11 and will play Tranquility Dec. 14

For more FC soccer sport shorts check out Boys Soccer Sport Shorts: Clovis High Tournament.

This author can be reached via twitter: @Julian_Castro09 and via email [email protected]