~Submitted on behalf of the BHS Boys Varsity Soccer Team
Bedford opened the MIAA Division 2 boys’ soccer tournament with a 5-0 win at home against Silver Lake Regional High School on Monday night.
The large crowd at Sabourin Field was treated to unseasonably warm temperatures, and the home fans left happy as the Bucs advanced to the next round with the victory in a game that was closer than the final score indicated.
The Bucs started well as in the sixth minute a Miles Herzog-to-Devan Kaushik-to-Austin Cullis pass sequence led to a Cullis shot that went just wide of the net.
Bedford kept the ball in the Laker zone for the next few minutes, but could not convert and Silver Lake found their feet.
The Lakers started to pressure the Bedford zone, generating multiple corner kicks. The Bucs’ defense was able to clear the ball each time as Luca Melfi, Sean Morrison, and Sawyer Elliott each made great stops over the next 15 minutes of play.
The Bucs could not find an offensive rhythm after their solid start, a credit to the Lakers’ defense.
Coach Boschetto called a timeout at 24:30 to settle the team down and it immediately paid dividends. Sharp passing by Owen Savage and Spencer Goss moved the ball down the field and Goss scored the Bucs’ first goal in the 27th minute.
Bedford continued to attack, generating multiple nice shots in the last two minutes of the first half, but could not stretch the lead. The first 10 minutes of the second half were largely controlled by Silver Lake. Max Mezheritskiy played solid defense to prevent Laker opportunities and maintain the Bucs’ lead.
The Lakers could not convert a free kick just outside the box in the 50th minute and Bedford started to turn the tide. More specifically, Miles Herzog took over. The junior midfielder scored on a well-played cross from Cullis in the 62nd minute to give the Bucs a 2-0 lead.
Seven minutes later, Herzog struck again, making it 3-0 in the 70th minute. Bedford continued to grind down the exhausted Lakers, hustling to every ball and taking control of the game.
With just under five minutes to play, Herzog completed the hat trick making it 4-0.
Two minutes later, Goss’ corner kick was headed in by Elliott to make it 5-0.
It was a solid performance by the Bucs all around. Kaushik and Tomas Ou were all over the field, making solid tackles to regain possession and Savage made numerous well placed passes to help the Bucs possess the ball and wear out the hard working Lakers.
Goalie Ansh Aggarwal and the Bucs defense pitched their ninth shutout of the season.
Next Round
Bedford plays at home again in the MIAA Division 2 Round of 16 on Thursday night, Nov. 10 vs Canton at 7 p.m. at Sabourin Field.
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