On Monday the Boys played host to Rockford High School. The Bulldogs took an early lead in the 13th minute on a throw-in.  Senior captain Cale McDowell sent it into the box that connected with senior captain Jordan Gruenes to score his first goal of the season. 

 

Much of the play in the first half went back and forth with both teams creating chances, and the rain playing a factor in some poor touches and sloppy passing, but the Bulldogs went into halftime ahead 1-0. Rockford went into the half with energy to try and tie it up. 4 minutes into the second half, Rockford sent a knuckling shot from thirty yards out just past the fingertips of junior goalkeeper Parker Lahr. 

 

Once more the score was level. Just like the rain, the energy from the Bulldogs never let up, and they created a few more chances, but couldn’t send the ball into the bac of the net. 

With 5 minutes left, just after a Bulldog attack and a clearance from Rockford, there was a handball just outside of the box by Rockford to provide Becker with a freekick and a chance to tie. Gruenes stepped up to the ball, waited for the Rockford wall to get set and calmly took the freekick. 

 

Gruenes placed it perfectly in the top right corner to put the Bulldogs back on top. With Rockford deflated, the Bulldogs waited out the last 5 minutes to improve their record to 6-3-1.  

The Bulldogs couldn’t wait to add a second win in as many days when the team traveled to Saint John’s Prep. 

 

Conference rivals and coach Crowley’s former team motivated the varsity squad to play with intensity and confidence. Just like the day before, the rain played a factor in some sloppy play by both teams. 

 

The first half ended 0-0. As the first half ended, the rain abated and the Bulldogs started to find their rhythm. They looked to take that energy into the second half… which they did. Thirty seconds into the second half, senior Guliano Meirino received the ball midway down the field from left-back senior Connor Eiickhoff. 

 

Meirino turned up the field, cut past the Prep defender and sent a through ball to senior midfielder Gavin Murphy, who placed the ball past the goalkeeper for his 4th goal of the season. 

 

The Bulldogs didn’t stop there. Ten minutes later the Bulldogs once again had a throw-in by McDowell. McDowell sent it into the box, the ball bounced up to Murphy who headed it into the crossbar, but sophomore Carson Makarrall was there to follow up the chance and finish the play with a goal. 

 

The Bulldogs were hungry for more and created many more chances, but ended the game 2-0.

 

The Bulldogs face 3 conference rivals this coming week. Monday against Zimmerman, Tuesday against Melrose, and then at Little Falls Thursday.