The Becker Bulldog boys soccer team won one, and tied another in matches this past week. Becker 1, Rockford 0. In a Section 6A match-up last Friday on the road, the Bulldogs escaped with a one goal win.  

 

In a hotly-contested game, the two rivals battled for control early on.  

 

Head Coach Alex Jurek said in the seven previous match-ups between these two teams, Becker has never trailed at any point.

 

In the first half, Rockford put some pressure on the Bulldogs’ defense and tested senior goalkeeper, Hunter McCalla a couple of times.  However, it would be senior Qadry Fakhreddine sending a ball across the front of the net where Logan Boyer placed it into the back of the net.  

 

The Bulldogs’ defense stood tall for the next 55 minutes and shut down the powerful Rockford offense the rest of the way.  

 

Becker improved to 2-0 in section play and sits alongside Orono and Willmar as the only teams without losses in section play.

 

Since Melrose entered the Granite Ridge Conference last season, these two teams have played into overtime each game.  

 

“Every match-up in the conference is going to be a great game, especially this year,” said Jurek.  “However, Melrose and us have found a new rivalry and it is a great one to coach in.”

 

The two teams appeared to be ready to put up big numbers as Melrose started the scoring just 10 minutes into the game.  In a rare miscue between senior defensemen Mason Makarrall and Noah Arrigoni, a Melrose striker got enough of a look to put his shot past McCalla's outstretched paw.

 

A slight breakdown put the Bulldogs in an advantagious position against a team that just doesn't allow many goals.  However, senior forward put a ball just behind the Melrose defense that allowed sophomore striker Jordan Gruenes enough of an opening to make his move and put the ball in the back of the net.  

 

From then on, Melrose failed to get many more good chances while most of Becker's chances were being whistled dead due to offsides.  The two teams pushed it into overtime where it ended in a 1-1 tie.  

 

 

The Bulldogs hosted Minnewaska Area Thursday (full report on match in next week’s Citizen-Tribune), then play on the road at St. John’s Tuesday and Little Falls Thursday.