Soccer Ties Taft

Brunswick battled Taft to a 1-1 tie on Saturday, as the home-standing Bruins played excellent second half defense to keep the potent Rhino attack at bay.

 

Taft opened the scoring in the 14th minute of action. Following a cross from the right corner, a Rhino striker one-timed the feed into the back corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

 

Two minutes later, the Bruins capitalized on a Taft turnover and notched the equalizing goal. Brunswick’s Ben Israel collected the ball to start the attack and played to Christian Barnard down the right sideline. Barnard took a touch to the end-line and sent a ball into the six toward the Taft goalie. Chisom Okpara created some chaos with the keeper as a deflection landed right on the foot of Brunswick teammate Michael Huber near the penalty stripe. Huber confidently buried a shot just under the crossbar to tie the contest at 1-1.

 

Taft held a decisive edge possession battle for most of the game, but the Bruins defended well down the stretch to preserve the draw. Brunswick goalie Harry Barringer made 10 saves on the day, including an impressive redirection on a Taft breakaway in the 50^th minute. Barringer also deftly played eight crosses in front of the Brunswick net.

 

Additionally, the Brunswick defenders, including Ben Powers and Jack Withstandley, were up to the task marking a talented group of playmakers from Taft.

 

The Bruins had a solid scoring chance in the 73rd minute, as Ryan Chinai and Nico Montoni went on the attack against a lone Taft defender, but the shot on goal was snuffed out. 

 

Up next for the Bruins (0-1-1) is a road game at Loomis Chaffee on Wednesday, September 19.