After 80 minutes on the pitch Tuesday, the Blair boys soccer team jogged across the turf from its sideline to the opposite in front of the west stands at Krantz Field.
The Bears clapped for their supporters in the crowd and the fans reciprocated.
Coach Curt Scott's team is 1-0 after a 2-0 win against Class B No. 7 Waverly in both teams' season-opening match. BHS scored both of its goals during the last 12 minutes of the Eastern Midlands Conference game, while goalkeeper Peter Clarke earned the clean sheet, shutout victory.
“It was a difficult game, but it was good,” senior Sergio Dominguez said.
The foreign exchange student from Madrid said the Bears felt the Vikings underestimated them.
“We just took advantage of that,” he said.
After 68 scoreless minutes, Dominguez scored the season's first goal in his Blair debut. Freshman Victor Hernandez passed the ball ahead to sophomore Mac Tupa, who got it to Eli Belsky. The freshman wearing No. 14 then passed it off to the Spainard.
“I had that space and Belsky just gave it to me,” Dominguez said.
The senior midfielder kept his close shot in the box low, beating the Waverly keeper for a 1-0 advantage.
Bears junior Quinn Baedke added a penalty kick goal during the 76th minute as the home team ran out the clock. BHS outperformed the Vikings offensively, but defense played a key role.
Last season, Clarke said he averaged about 13 saves a game in goal. He was bombarded with his opponents' shots.
It was a different story Tuesday.
“I came in tonight and had, really, like, one shot that I could have saved. One where I had to be there,” the senior said. “It was super nice.”
Clarke credited Blair's defensive regulars — Riley Wolff, Crayton Macholan and Midland recruit Jake Raymond — for their efforts, but also freshman Isaac Field, who came in when the Bears earned a lead.
“They're always hustling, and the communication is key on the defensive line,” the goalkeeper said. “As long as we're talking, and we know when to rotate and when to get down, it's always going to work out. We're going to get someone there.”
Clarke called attention to the midfielders' work defensively, too. It was a team effort.
The Bears' next match is 6 p.m. today at Plattsmouth High School. They then play noon Saturday in Hastings.
BHS's next game at Krantz Field — the site of Tuesday's season-opening victory — is 7 p.m. Monday against the Elkhorn North Wolves.
BHS SOCCER LINE SCORE
Tuesday
Blair 2, No. 7 Waverly 0
WHS (0-1) 0 0 — 0
BHS (1-0) 0 2 — 2
Blair goals: Sergio Dominguez and Quinn Baedke.
