By Christopher Wood
The second ranked BCC men’s soccer team defeated Highline in a 3-2 win last Wednesday. This game follows the team’s first loss of the season to Peninsula on October 22, in a 2-1 loss.
This was Highline’s first loss of the season.
“We needed it, “said Adam Fenster, BCC soccer coach. “Because the last game we played we were awfully complacent.”
This is the second time they have met this season. BCC played Highline on September 24, which resulted in a 1-1 tie.
The first half opened with a goal from BCC at 2 minutes. The goal was scored unassisted by Matt Eronemo, BCC defender, with a clear shot into Highline’s goal box.
This was followed by a goal from Highline’s midfielder, Tony Maxwell, with an assist by Alex Brensen, also a midfielder, at 10 minutes. This goal was shot in the corner of the box and gave highline a 1-1 tie.
Highline scored again at 26 minutes with an unassisted goal by Brensen. The goal was shot straight into the net right passed Ian Fewing, BCC keeper. This gave Highline a 2-1 lead.
“[It] was a first half of frustration,” said Fenster.
During halftime, Fenster said Highline was focused on countering BCC’s attacks. He said BCC was playing slowly and too individualistically. He felt they had the skill to win the game.
The second half would see a more productive BCC squad, with them taking more shots at the goal than the previous half. This included a bicycle kick attempt by Vinni Oliviera, BCC forward, in which he spun over himself to kick the ball at Highline’s goal at 80 minutes.
BCC tied the game 2-2 with a drive led by Oliviera to the goal at 82 minutes. Highline’s defenders at the goal line blocked Oliviera so he could not score. He then passed the ball to Deigo Robayo, BCC midfielder, who took the shot into the left side of the goal.
“They just lost it,” said Oliviera.
BCC took the lead at 86 minutes with a corner shot by Oliviera, which was assisted by Fewing. This set the score at 3-2.
Highline attempted a rally in the final 4 minutes of the game, to no avail, after BCC took the lead.
“This game may have turned us into a team again,” said Fenster. “Because when we’re a team, we’re unstoppable.”
With this victory, BCC maintains their second place standing in the NWAACC West division, with a record of 12-1-2.