BOYS’ SOCCER SPORT SHORTS, 2009-10–
(Latest girls’ soccer shorts will be at the top of the section. Scroll down to check out past results. Tournament games do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for girls’ soccer features).
Be sure to visit the 2009-10 boys’ soccer schedule and the Eagles’ home page or FC’s roster page, or check out Maxpreps.com. FC finished 2-19-0 overall, and 0-10-0 in the West Sequoia League.
BOYS’ SOCCER, 2009-10
SEASON END
FC FALLS IN FINAL GAME–Feb. 12
In their final game of the season, FC dropped a close one to Caruthers, 2-1.
After holding Caruthers scoreless for almost the entire first half, FC gave up a Blue Raider goal at the very end. Behind 1-0, FC came out strong and aggressive in the second half, but once again Caruthers scored.
Senior Gerald Bell started out his freshman year playing outside midfielder with some playing time, but over the years worked up to starting sweeper.
“I’ve learned a lot about soccer,” captain Bell said. “I became more aware of what the game is like: what goes on and how to play it at a varsity level.”
After another stop by Bell and the defense, they sent a through ball up to sophomore Austin Rurik. Who carried it up the field, going by numerous defenders, and put the ball in the back of the net, 2-1.
The Eagles had a rough season with only two wins, but Bell found that all the people one meets on the team is rewarding.
“Just getting to know everyone was one of the best things,” Bell said. “Even though we weren’t that good, it was worth it to just hang around with the guys. When you’re on a team, some people you would of thought ‘oh I’d never talk to this person’, but then you do and it works out.”
Good friends with Bell, junior Andrew Evans says he will miss him and of his best memories from soccer were with Bell.
“It was me Josiah, Gerald and Jake in a room at Garces,” Evans said. “That one night was quite eventful and fun. Gerald’s an interesting character whose always fun to be around.”
Most games Bell’s voice can be heard advising teammates who to mark and where to go. Evans, who will probably assume the position of sweeper, says playing with Bell has benefited him.
“He [Bell] always bring it to the next level on the field and his control over situations is very good,” Evans said. “I’ve learned from him that it’s very important to communicate with the other defenders on who is marking who and to always be aware.”
After games FC would ask the other team if they wanted to pray and coach Matt Markarian found this to be the best thing out of the year.
“I was pleased with how our team represented our school,” Markarian said. “We always played hard and played like the strong men of God that we are. I was proud with how we could spend the entire game competing like no other and when the game was over we put our arms around our fellow men of God and prayed for each other.”
TIGERS SHUT OUT FC–Feb. 9
Tranquillity struck hard and soon, finding the back of the net about 15 minutes into the half with two goals. After gain control early, the Tigers went on to pound FC, 6-0.
In his first time playing varsity soccer, senior Doug Daniel found the Tigers skill sets were too much for FC.
“I enjoy soccer no matter what, but I wasn’t satisfied with the outcome of the game,” Daniels said. “I don’t think it was us being lazy or anything, they’re just better than us.”
According to Daniel, the Eagles persevered despite Tranquillity’s big lead.
“The best thing we did was not giving up when things got ugly,” Daniel said. “That was a positive because the deficit could of been bigger if we had given up.”
Late in the second half FC earned a free kick, but no one was able to put a head on the ball. Then with 15 minutes left sophomore Sean Carter had a fast break and passed it to junior Josiah Ford in front of the goal, but they were unable to get it by the keeper.
“Since we were missing several players we were not able to overcome the skill of one of the best teams in the valley,” head coach Matt Markarian said. “I feel our team though is making progress and is significantly better than we were several weeks ago. As this is our last week, I hope we can get completely healthy for senior night and beat Caruthers.”
COWBOYS DEFEAT FC–Feb. 5
Riverdale scored three in the first half and two in the second. However, the Eagles were able to score off of a set piece by junior Andrew Evan late in the second half, but still lost 5-1, Feb. 5.
Many of the FC players were forced to play through injuries and Evans found this attributed to their loss.
“The hardest part of the game was the amount of players we had, we were playing though injuries,” Evans said. “So we moved a lot slower while working through our pain.”
As Evans’ first time scoring a goal this year, he thought it was quite different than defense.
“Scoring was a very different experience for me,” Evans said. “I’ve always played defense before and the most rewarding thing would be winning a header or making a good tackle.”
EAGLES FALL TO PANTHERS–Feb. 2
As one of the best teams in the West Sequoia League, Parlier showed their talent and beat the Eagles. FC had a few chances on goal, but could not net anything in a 2-0 loss, Feb. 2.
Although FC struggled offensively, they remained somewhat solid on defense. Only until the last 10 minutes of the half, Parlier was able to score. The Panthers kept up the attack and made a goal off of a fast break with about five minutes left.
The Eagles prevented Parlier from scoring in the second half, but still could not knock any past the keeper. FC lost once again to them, but kept it at 2-0.
“We did way better then the last time we played them and we improved greatly, but we could of done better,” Juan Rueles, ’13, said. “We get tired at certain points in the game and that’s when they score. Although let down some, we are marking better and talking on the field to each other a lot more.”
REDCATS BEAT FC–Jan. 29
After coming off a 5-2 loss to Caruthers, FC rebounded and scored in the first five minutes of play against Fowler.
Sophomore Sean Carter carried the ball up the field and then sent a through ball to sophomore Austin Rurik at the 18.’ Ford headed it to junior Josiah Ford who shot one right by the keeper for the 1-0 lead.
FC lost the coin toss, but started with the ball first. It appeared as though they would completely dominate the game, but some unmarked men on defense allowed the Redcats to score.
“I believe that we played a phenomenal game against Fowler,” Rurik said, “The only thing I could think of from that game that we didn’t do well was defensively marking and offensively we need to talk more and pass a little better.”
At half Fowler led 2-1, but sophomore Josh Hopper still had the desire to win. Hopper scored off of a back side run midway through the half. However, once again Fowler was able to knock in two more goals as they won, 4-2.
“We came into the game having lost to them twice already, 2-0 and 3-0, but we never let down and just fought hard and worked hard all game,” Rurik said. “The outcome wasn’t what we expected though, but we never gave up during the game. All that we did in the game, we did it because we were given the power by Christ to be able to play that hard in the game.”
As FC starts the most under class men in the league and struggle some to keep up with the other teams physically coach Matt Markarian felt they played a great game.
“For the first time all year I felt like we really had a sustained attack and we were able to keep it on their end,” Markarian said. “We were able to move the ball and create multiple chances to score, not just one or two like we normally do, but 10 or 11 chances on goal. We played better than they did and had lots of opportunities to score, but just couldn’t cash in.”
CARUTHERS DEFEATS FC–Jan. 26
Compared to the last several games where the Eagles came out slow in the first half, this time they arrived with some energy and immediately put themselves in the game. Within the first five minutes FC had already put some pressure on their goalie.
Sophomore Josh Hopper played several nice balls and stuck in on defense throughout the game.
“In warm ups I was striking the ball particularly well and straight and hard,” outside midfielder Hopper said. “I felt like I had good ball control. I told Jay-Z [sophomore Sean Carter] to get me the ball and I made a couple good crosses and I had a shot on goal. I also had a headed assist in [senior] Gerald’s [Bell] goal.”
The Blue Raiders were able to score three goals in the first half due to men left unmarked. However, late in the first half junior Will Gonzales took a shot from the 18′ and sent it right past the goalie, 3-1.
Caruthers scored two more in the second half and Bell was able to head one in off of a free kick by sophomore Austin Rurik, 5-2.
“We played pretty well right off the bat as opposed to to other times where it took us a while to get into the game,” Hopper said. “Our defense did well at getting the ball up the field and our offense did good at pressuring and winning the ball.”
FC LOSES TO TIGERS–Jan. 22
Tranquillity dominated most of the game as they remained in control of the ball, and the Eagles were unable to give any offensive attack. However, late in the second half Austin Rurik, ’12, scored off of a penalty kick, but by the end of the match, FC lost 7-1.
For freshman Chris Weddington’s first year of playing soccer, he finds it quite enjoyable despite a lack of experience.
“Tranquillity was very fun and exciting, even though we only scored one goal,” Weddington said. “I think that I need to improve a lot. For example, I was playing right marking back and quit on a ball and as a result a goal was scored and I was taken out of the game. I deserved it though because it’s very bad to quit on a ball.”
Although the Tigers had almost an impeccable first touch, FC, towards the end of the game, finally was able to put up some defense.
“We need to continue to play hard, focusing on getting to the ball first,” Hessler said. “Until we do that our chances for winning look slim. We played hard though and by the end of the second half where I thought I would pull my hair out, the team pulled though with some effort, saving me from doing anything drastic.”
RIVERDALE BEATS FC–Jan. 19
As the Cowboy’s controlled the ball most of the first half, they were able to take numerous shots on sohpomore Jake Sorenson. They went into half time with a 3-0 lead. but, the second half told a somewhat different story.
The Eagles began to pass the ball amongst them with more intensity which allowed a counter attack from the constant Riverdale offense. Sophomores Sean Carter, Austin Rurik and Josiah Ford, ’11, led the offense attack as they were able to put together a goal off of a free kick by senior Gerald Bell.
According to Ford, once a goal is scored FC becomes more alive in the game.
“When I scored the first goal, I was kind of in disbelief because Riverdale is a good team, but also happy because it was a step in getting back into the game,” Ford said. “Once we score, we play with more intensity and remain in the game.”
Despite the goal, Riverdale knocked two more balls into the net as they led 5-1. FC did not let down though and Ford scored once more. However, the Eagles still remained incapable of halting the Cowboy’s offense as they won 6-2.
“I didn’t think we played well in the first half, but we played really well in the second half,” coach Markarian said. “We played hard and got a couple goals; Josiah found his scoring touch and scored twice. When we get a goal though we start to play well.”
PANTHERS OUTSCORE EAGLES–Jan. 15
The experienced Parlier boy’s dominated FC in the end despite that the Eagles only trailed by one goal in the first half, 1-2. When the ref’s called the game though, Parlier came out on top with a 4-1 win.
Within about ten minutes of the first half, Parlier scored off of a back side run by senior Johnny Garcia, who also went on to score one more in the second half. Soon after, FC responded with a goal off of a set piece; senior Gerald Bell sent the ball in and Austin Rurik, ’12, touched it passed the goalie, 1-1. The ref’s called a foul inside the box of FC and the Panthers seized the opportunity and scored, 2-1.
“We started off good and we were in it until the pk,” Bell said. “Some of the guys I could see had let down in their effort level, where they were constantly supporting the players and running to their postition before Parlier’s second goal, but after our players started to slack off some.”
From then on, the Eagles went down hill in the second half as Parlier scored two more, 4-1. This was aided though with numerous calls against FC.
“The refs didn’t help what so ever,” Bell said. “After the pk they called every little thing. Where there was any contact they called it, but Parlier did a good acting job and the refs would call it every time.”
Rurik and junior Josiah Ford were yellow carded and Parlier scored off of two free kicks. In spite of this, assistant coach Greg Hessler, saw improvement from Fowler’s match-up.
“Overall, we played more aggresively, but we still need to work on transitioning up the field more,” Hessler said. “We’ll clear the ball up the field and it will just go to the opposing defense and we aren’t able to get to it on time. The problem was transitioning and working together to move the ball up the field. The best thing we did though was challenging the ball more.”
FC LOSES TO FOWLER–Jan. 12
To open up the season, the Eagles had hopes to continue on their winning streak, but the Red Cats physical play dominated FC as they went on to win 3-0.
Sophomore Scott Jennings sat out the first half due to a snowboarding injury, but came in the second half. Why he thinks they played better in the second half was what coach Matt Markarian told the team at half time.
“At half time our coach told us to play harder and be more focused,” Jennings said. “This helped us to be more aggressive which helped the second half of the game. We played more aggressively and played better defense. We cleared the ball more and played it up the field.”
With help from the defense, the offense was able to bring about a corner kick. This led to FC’s only shot on goal by sophomore Sean Carter, a header on the corner.
According to Markarian, the long break of no games during Christmas vacation hurt the team immensely, but were able to come together some in the second half.
“We started a little slow, we were a little rusty from not playing a game for a couple of weeks,” Markarian said. “The second half of the game we played a lot better though. We played better because I think we just shook the rust off some and got used to playing again.
In addition to the “rustiness” the Eagles suffered other deficit’s also.
“Every one was a little out of sync,” Markarian said. “Jay-z [Carter] was sick, Scotty [Jennings] was kind of hurt and [junior] Josiah [Ford] was sore, we just had a bunch of little problems. For our next game though I think we will be able to come together more, but we are still a very young team”
EAGLES FORFEIT TO OROSI–Jan. 7
Due to sick and out of town FC players , coach Matt Markarian was forced to forfeit the game.
GARCES HOLIDAY SOCCER FESTIVAL–Dec. 18-19
EAGLES BEAT LIBERTY OF BAKERSFIELD–Dec. 19
The Eagles yearned for their second win of the season against the Patriots in the 20th annual Garces Holiday Soccer Festival. And their Christmas wish came true as they defeated Bakersfield, 3-1, Dec. 19. With the win, the Eagles went home from Garces with a 2-1 winning record.
Though FC played a JV team, Liberty still posed a threat when they had the ball. They were able to get off some shots, with one striking the top corner bar of the goal.
FC scored their first goal early in the first half, Andrew Evans, ’11, sent a through ball to sophomore Austin Rurik, who then shot it right by the keeper. Late in the second half, senior Gerald Bell knocked in a ball off of a corner kick by Rurik and FC led, 2-1.
“Our first goal against Coast Union gave our team a little bit of hope and life for the tournament,” Rurik said. “The goal gave us a new found energy for this game. It was the catalyst for all of our goals.”
Liberty came out hard in the second half and scored to put them within one at the ten minute mark. The Eagles’ comfortable lead of two disappeared and the Eagles were forced to step it up more. Rurik responded with his second goal off of a fast break and FC led, 3-1.
“All the goals I scored this tournament were becasue of plays made by the rest of the team,” Rurik said. “Such as Jay-Z [Carter] and other midfielders playing balls up, punts by [sophomore] Jake [Sorenson] and long balls by TF [Evans].”
Unusually, FC maintained controll over the ball for periods in the second half, allowing them to run out the clock. With about ten minutes left in the game a Liberty midfielder slid into Sean Carter, ’12, cleats up, taking him out of the game. Despite this, the Eagles maintained their lead and won the game.
“We overcame fatigue and were able to calm down and attack with some purpose this game,” coach Matt Markarian said. “They were a strong team and we were able to impose our will on them.”
FC finished the 20th annual Garces Holiday Soccer Festival with a 2-1 record in the Bronze Division. Sponsored by Bakersfield’s Garces Memorial High School, over 175 teams participated in the tournament at 15 different sites in five different divisions.
EAGLES TRIUMPH OVER BRONCOS–Dec. 19
Within minutes of the opening kick-off, sophomore Austin Rurik scored off of a free kick which bounced by Kern Valley’s goalie. FC’s strong, aggressive play pushed the Eagles to win, 6-1, Dec. 19.
Soon after, Rurik crossed the ball to Josh Hopper, ’12, making a backside run, he tapped it in to score. Once again Rurik found the back of the net with a fast break to make it 3-0.
“We were able to work the ball all over the field,” assistant coach Greg Hessler said. “He gave us width and depth; we became untouchable in this game. We shouldn’t have been scored on, though; we should have gone with a shut out.”
The Broncos some how got passed senior Gerald Bell and they scored, making it 3-1. However, the Eagles responded with a cross by Rurik and sophomore Sean Carter headed it in.
After the half, FC kept up the pressure and scored twice more. Junior Josiah Ford scored his first of the season and Rurik added his third goal and the Eagles earned their first win of the season.
FC FALLS TO COAST UNION–Dec. 18
As a tradition, the seniors take a bet each season with coach Matt Markarian. If the boys win their games the first day, Markarian shaves his head, if they lose, their heads are shaved.
Both teams had opportunities to score, but were unable to capitalize. However, about 25 minutes into the first half, senior Gerald Bell stole the ball from a Bronco forward and in doing so laid him out also. The ref’s called a penalty kick and Coast Union seized their chance and scored, 1-0.
Then in the last 10 minutes of the first half, Coast Union scored once again to make it 2-0. FC still put pressure on the Bronco’s though and were working the ball up the field.
Most of the second half remained an even match, but with about eight minutes left in the game the Eagles put something together. Sophomore Josh Hopper made a cross to junior Josiah Ford, who then played it up to Austin Rurik, ’12, who shot the ball into the corner just out of reach by the keeper.
“We could have played a lot better,” assistant coach Greg Hessler said. “We showed improvement though with passing and working the ball up the field, but we still need to play little tougher on the ball though.”
FC’s first goal of the season presented some hope, but they still lost 2-1.
FC LOSES TO FARMERSVILLE–Dec. 15
Even though Farmersville had just defeated Clovis Wests varsity, the Eagles kept up with the Aztecs for the first ten minutes of the game. Upon Farmersville scoring their first goal though, FC appeared to lose hope as the Aztecs continued on to win 5-0.
Almost immediately after their first goal, they put up another four points in the first half. However, coming out hard in the second half, the Eagles were able to inhibit the Aztecs from scoring.
“We played good but we can do a lot better than how we did,” sophomore Forrest Hale said. “In the second half we played a lot harder than in the first. We took the ball away from more people in the second half and made more passes. Just overall we played better.”
Although Farmersville had subbed in all fresh players, FC was able to compete. Most of the home team players made some good touches and passes. This enabled the Eagles to work up the field through sophomore center midfielders Austin Rurik and Sean Carter.
FC had some good moments in the game, but they still could not score a first goal.
FC AT COAST UNION CANCELED–Dec. 11
Due to weather the game was canceled.
EAGLES COME UP SHORT AGAINST TITANS–Dec. 10
FC approached the game hoping to tack on a first win, especially since Orange Cove was 0-3. Despite numerous shots on frame, the Eagles failed to achieve their goal, losing 2-0.
For the first five or ten minutes, the Eagles kept them on the defense, but unable to get any successful shots off. After this glimpse of offensive domination, the Titans countered, keeping the ball on FC’s half for most of the game.
“Personally I felt like I did a lot better getting out wide and also getting back on defense,” sophomore Zed Fries said. “As a team we played a lot more aggressive compared to last game where we played timid. We also did better on passing the ball up the field but we could of worked on playing it to the flags more.”
Both goals by Orange Cove were scored in the first half due to players left unmarked and some poor communication.
“I think we need to work on communicating,” Fries said. “There was a lot of times where we had two guys on the same person leaving someone unmarked which led to their two goals and also lots of shots on [sophomore] Jake [Sorenson].”
The first half was led offensively by midfielder Austin Rurik, ’12, who had one shot on goal but sent several through balls to junior Josiah Ford throughout the game.
“Austin Rurik carried the load offensively and had two excellent chances on goal, one that hit the post and another that just went wide,” coach Matt Markarian said.
In the second half however, sophomore Sean Carter and Rurik were able to connect in the middle making one-two passes, which allowed Rurik to have two shots on goal. Also, senior captain Gerald Bell held strong on defense through out the entire game, but in the second half also made some runs up the field giving an extra attacking push.
“Gerald Bell continues to provide the defensive leadership that is the identity of our team,” Markarian said. “Also, [freshman] Austin Maddux is learning and doing an excellent job for us at left marking back.”
Despite these efforts, FC still suffered from lack of endurance and abilities to trap and pass the ball well, giving Orange Cove many opportunities to score.
“The Orange Cove game marked a huge improvement for us,” Markarian said. “We defended remarkably against an impressive Orange Cove offense. It was just unlucky for us not to score.”
SIERRA MOUNTAIN TOURNAMENT–Dec. 4-5
EAGLES FALL TO ROOSEVELT–Dec. 5
The Roosevelt Riders triumphed over FC with a 3-0 win to keep the Eagles winless so far this season, Dec. 5.
FC starters senior Gerald Bell, freshman Sean Carter and freshman Austin Rurik played despite injury as the Eagles struggled throughout the game. Bell and Carter had FC’s only two shots which did not even make it on frame.
Looking back on the weekend, Bell says the team make some good plays at times but overall had trouble in many areas.
“Our best game was against Sierra,” Bell said. “They’re a real good team and we were able to hang with them a little bit. In each of the games though, there were lots of weak points but we also had some strong points at times.”
In addition to Bell’s perspective, coach Matt Markarian is hopeful for the new players on the team.
“Even though the results were not what I had hoped, we are developing as a young team and we will be very competitive all year,” Markarian said. “I am excited to coach and watch the development of this very young team.”
LIBERTY DEFEATS FC DESPITE YOUNG SQUAD–Dec. 5
For the Eagles’ first game of the Sierra Mountain Match-up Tournament they faced the young Liberty Hawks. Liberty, who despite missing their football players, defeated FC, 1-0, Dec. 5.
At the three-minute mark, Liberty scored off of a ball, which bounced right over junior Andrew Evans and senior Gerald Bell. Sophomore Sean Carter had two shots on goal and ended up to be FC’s only pressure on the Hawk’s goalie.
“I was pretty disappointed because we didn’t play our best and we kind of let them win,” junior Will Gonzales said. “It almost seemed like we didn’t really care about winning that much.”
Junior Josiah Ford was yellow carded in the second half but throughout the game had numerous runs off of kicks by sophomore keeper Jake Sorenson or through balls by fellow teammates.
After the game coach Matt Markarian talked to the team calling their loss an “embarrassment to the school.”
“What [coach] Matt [Markarian] said to us helped motivate me for the next game,” Gonzales said. “He said that our performance was very embarrassing; we just laid down and gave them the game. Also, he said that we lost to one of the worst teams in the tournament and we needed to play better if we wanted to compete against Roosevelt.”
FOWLER DOMINATES FC–Dec. 4
For their second game of the Sierra Mountain Match-up Tournament, the Eagles took the field against Fowler and lost, 3-0, to the Redcats, Dec. 4.
In the first few minutes Fowler scored and by the end of the game had scored two more off of corner kicks or backside runs.
About 20 minutes into the first half sophomore midfielder Sean Carter was injured but returned in the second half. Also, sophomore Austin Rurik collided with a Redcat player in the second half and returned later though not at full strength.
“We didn’t play as well as we did on Wednesday night but if we had we should’ve won,” junior striker Josiah Ford said. “Some of us had to get used to new positions because of our loss of [Josh] Hopper. Also, loosing (Aaron) Hedrick was a challenge, but we just need to move on from him and play harder.”
The Eagles only had one shot on goal; Carter’s diving header in the second half was stopped by the Fowler keeper.
SIERRA SHUTS OUT EAGLES ONCE AGAIN–Dec. 4
FC participated in the annual Sierra Mountain Tournament and competed against Sierra for their first match-up, Dec. 4. The Eagles closed the gap between their previous encounter but still the Chieftains came out on top, winning 1-0.
About half way through the first half sophomore stopper Josh Hopper, took a blow to the back. He was unable to move at the moment and an ambulance carried him back to Valley Children’s Hospital. Hopper was able to go home at about 2 p.m. and is expected to come back to the soccer field in a week or so.
“When I was laying on the ground I wasn’t thinking really about anything because there was so much pain in my back at the moment,” Hopper said. “It was really nice though to see the other coaches from Sierra helping me out. I was kind of sad that I couldn’t play in the rest of the tournament and also that I couldn’t help the rest of my team out.”
With a last minute decision to focus on baseball instead of soccer by senior Aaron Hedrick, the Eagles struggled to get any offensive push. Sophomore Austin Rurik had two shots while sophomore captain Sean Carter had the other.
However, the Chieftans had 12 shots on goal but only senior Marshall Marlett’s beat the FC keeper.
CHIEFTAINS SHUT OUT EAGLES–Dec. 2
The Eagles traveled to Tollhouse and took on Sierra to open their season, Dec. 2. However, the Chieftans defeated FC, 3-0, in Sierra’s home opener.
As Sierra had numerous shots on goal but was unable to finish, the game remained scoreless after the first half. Sophomore captain Austin Rurik had two shots on goal for the Eagles in the opening half.
“As a team we played very well for starting four players who had never played soccer before,” Rurik said. “We had only practiced twice as a full team. They are a Division III team that has been playing together since June. We held our own while passing and defending.”
Sophomore goal keeper Jake Sorenson, who made eight saves, said they had some good moments but also a few defensive break downs.
“We were real physical and we were passing the ball well just we need to be more organized,” Sorenson said. “We had some mishaps on backside runs and loosing our mark sometimes. Besides that, we played like a team most of the time.”
Within ten minutes of the second half, the Chieftans scored and with 15 left on the clock, they had scored two more. FC failed to capitalize on a number of free kicks by senior captain Gerald Bell and break away shots by junior Josiah Ford and senior Aaron Hedrick.
New assistant coach Greg Hessler who played a year on the Fresno State Men’s club soccer team, has high hopes for the Eagles’ upcoming games.
“They could take a top spot in the league if not first if they played like they did the first half,” Hessler said. “They can do this if they just work on the fundamentals of spreading the field out and controlling more in the center. If they get the fundamentals down they could do really good.”
