The Becker Bulldog boys soccer team continued its fine play for the year, winning one match and tying two.

 

Little Falls 2, Becker 2 (OT)

In conference play Thursday on the road, Becker took on Little Falls on a relatively cold September night.  

 

Little Falls was able to get on the board first on a Becker defensive breakdown when Sam Beam broke free on a transition and netted an uncontested goal on Becker goalie Hunter McCalla.

 

McCalla has been a standout for the team the last two seasons - and now sits ranked at #5 in the state in save percentage.

 

“I don't expect my keep(er) to be perfect, it is a tough job,” said Head Coach Alex Jurek.  “Like any player, they are going to have an off game.  Tonight was a tough one for Hunter.”  

 

Jurek said McCalla’s offense “needs to take the pressure off of the defense by netting more goals.”

 

It isn’t as if the offense isn’t getting their chances.  In the last four games, the Bulldogs have dominated the games on possession time and have outshot their opponents at a clip of 3-1.  But the shots are not reaching the back of the net.

 

Thursday, Captain Qadry Fakhreddine took his opportunity out front and netted the equalizer at the 25 minute mark of the first half.  

 

Twenty-six minutes into the second half, Senior Forward Logan Boyer put the Bulldogs up 2-1 on a shot from the 35-yard line.

 

Coach Jurek had the Bulldogs change up their formation to add in more defensemen to try and “ice” the game.  However, in a slight breakdown on defense, the Flyers tied the game at two late in the second half.

 

“In any other situation or season, I would be happy with stealing a point on an opponents field,” said Jurek.  “However, we needed this game to stay on pace with Cathedral.”

 

Becker 2, St John's Prep 2 (OT)

The Bulldogs traveled to St. John’s Tuesday to face the Johnnies in conference play.  

 

The Johnnies were sit ting atop the Granite Ridge Conference with a record of 2-0-1 when the Bulldogs came to town.  The Bulldogs, however, would have to try and defeat the Johnnies without the help of their leading scorer (Jordan Gruenes) and prolific Varsity players Evan Epperly and Cale McDowell.

 

“Without the help from Cale, Jordan, or Evan, we knew we would be facing an uphill battle,” said Jurek.  “These three give us so many more offensive options that we would have to do without.”

 

The Bulldogs (4-1-1) have not won a match at St. John’s since 2012.  

 

Tuesday’s match featured solid defense on both sides of the ball and Becker’s offense put pressure on the Johnnies right from the get-go.  At the 12 minute mark of the first half, Senior Defenseman and Captain Noah Arrigoni netted the first goal of the game and  Becker led 1-0.  

 

At the 22 minute mark, St. John’s responded with a goal of their own, then minutes later score again to go up 2-1.  That was how the first half ended.

 

Seventeen minutes into the second half, Senior Forward Logan Boyer tied the game and the Bulldogs continued attacking, but failed to get the tie-breaker. The Bulldogs ended the game having outshot St John's Prep, 25-6.  

 

“Being on enemy territory without three of our top players, we can walk off knowing we stole a point from Prep,” said Jurek.  “Am I happy?  Maybe. We will see in a couple weeks when conference play winds down.”

 

Becker 2, Minnewaska 1

On a beautiful Monday evening, the Bulldogs hosted the Minnewaska Lakers in a match that was previously scheduled for last Thursday.

 

“We have battled Minnewaska as a section foe for years and Coach (Ted) Hill always coaches his players up,” said Jurek. “They are a very disciplined soccer team and he is a great soccer mind.”

 

The Bulldogs looked a little off-beat, Coach Jurek said, as they were missing their leading scorer (Gruenes)  and senior Evan Epperly.  

 

Five minutes into the game, Boyer sent senior forward Alex Nelson to the corner of the 18, where he netted his first varsity goal of the season.  However, the lead didn’t last very long as the Lakers tied the game up soon thereafter on a defensive breakdown.

 

With 14 minutes left in the first half, Senior winger Tate Weise netted his first goal of the season, putting the Bulldogs up 2-1.

 

The Bulldogs defense iced the game and Becker would go on to win 2-1.  

 

The Bulldogs are now 4-1-3 (2-1-3 GR, 2-0 Section) and host Cathedral Tuesday then head to Melrose Thursday.