By Lauren Hyland
On Friday, Dec. 1, the Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) boys’ soccer team beat St. John Bosco High School with a final score of 2-1.
With the game beginning at 3 p.m., stands were filled with supporters of either team, eager to witness the expected “close game,” according to junior Stone Bakx, captain of the FVHS boys varsity soccer team.
The game began with similar ball possession by both teams. However, within the first few minutes, Bakx as the midfielder, received a pass from the right side by junior winger Ethan Ro. Bakx showed off impressive footwork, dodging an oncoming defender and passing the ball to Fin Bradshaw, who in turn converted a stunning bottom-right corner shot to score a crucial goal. Bakx and Bradshaw continued to dominate the field, proving to be the key players behind their team’s success in this challenging game.
As the game progressed, Bosco increased aggression, fouling the Barons on multiple occasions, leading to free kicks that presented goal opportunities. One was that of Ro, who unfortunately missed with 14 minutes left in the first half. Despite the miss, Ro remained optimistic and kept his head up for more opportunities to score a goal.
Soon after the foul from Bosco, a similar foul by the Barons followed resulting in a yellow card for Bakx and a free kick from Bosco which goalie Jacob Lemmons saved. Lemmons kicked the ball forward in a drop-kick, crossing the halfway line, where it was received by Stone Bakx. Bakx tapped the ball to sophomore midfielder Brandon Peterson, who quickly got fouled from the back.
The second half began with a score of 1-1. Barons began to hold a majority of the possession despite the fouls passed often between the two teams.
Winger Bradshaw created many individual plays that led to crosses and set-ups for shots only to be blocked by Bosco’s keeper. However, with 28 minutes left in the second half, Fin received a pass and quickly tapped it from his right foot behind his back and through to forward senior Noah Baldree. Baldree then took on the goalie, dribbling past him and scoring in an open goal.
With a lead of 2-1 Barons, the boys fought hard to keep their win confirmed. They began to focus on defensive control with many clearing headers and kicks from defensive players sophomore Noah Korhonen and junior captain Zach Groff.
A Bosco player went down with 22 minutes left in the second half. Bosco took a free kick which went right into the hands of second-half goalie, sophomore Jacob Stevens. This was one of the many shots that were caught by Stevens without any hesitation or fumble.
The game ended with a final score of 2-1 Barons.
“I think the best thing we did was press and win the ball,” Captain Bakx said. “There were multiple times when we would defend a counter from them, steal the ball, and counter for ourselves.” Prepping for the upcoming season, Bakx looks forward to sharpening shots and passes in the final third of the field.
Alongside Bakx, Captain Groff believes a solid game was played on Friday. “The coaches have been working with us to perfect the way we work the ball up the field and it seems to be starting to all come together,” Groff said.
He continued to express his admiration for Bradshaw and his impressive set up for Baldree resulting in the second goal of the game for Barons.
“I think we are in for a really good season and will keep working for the best results,” Groff said.
The Barons will play their next away game against Long Beach Poly on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.
