After scoring five goals during its season opener, the Blair boys soccer team went without Monday at Krantz Field.
The 3-0 Waverly Vikings scored the Eastern Midlands Conference (EMC) match's lone goal during the 55th minute, earning a 1-0 victory over the 1-1 Bears.
“They had a very organized defense and they played a pretty good game in the back on us,” BHS coach Peter Massa said. “We had our opportunities — in the first half more, I think, than in the second half.”
Bears had several near misses during the first 40 minutes of play. Victor Hernandez's shot during the sixth minute went just left of the left post before Drew Wulf headed his crossing pass just to the right of the right in the 17th.
Hernandez also sent a ball into the right post during the half, while Eli Belsky got his head on a Wulf corner kick in front of the goal. After that, though, the scoring chances slowed during the second 40 minutes.
“We kind of lost our vision of how we wanted to play in that attacking half,” Massa said. “We did a lot of good stuff, but we were doing it too much in the midfield and not in that attacking third.”
The Vikings, meanwhile, made the deciding play 15 minutes into the second half. Senior Cooper Wittler found himself in the right place at the right time, sending a rebound shot into the back of the net for the game's only goal.
“We let them get the ball in around us in the back,” Massa said. “We didn't have to win the ball. We had to contain and we didn't.”
It's a situation Blair can learn from, though, he added.
“The only good thing about that is that is very teachable,” the coach said. “We can work on that.”
The Bears created three serious scoring chances across the final 10 minutes, but came up empty in their attempt to tie the game. Wulf nearly got to the ball on a run into the box during the 72nd minute before sending a cross through it again during the 78th.
Hernandez took a long free kick from midfield during the final 60 seconds, too, but it was hauled in by the Waverly goalkeeper for the win.
“A lot of good individuals put in great effort individually and we combined a lot,” Massa said, complimenting his team in defeat. He specifically noted Luke Donner's work in goal as well as his wings for getting involved throughout the 80-minute EMC matchup.
Altogether, however, it was a tight game the Vikings won on Krantz Field.
“They're a quality team,” Massa said. “And we're still building out our plan.”
BHS was scheduled to face The Platte on Thursday and next competes 6 p.m. Saturday at Hastings.
BHS SOCCER LINE SCORE
Monday
Waverly 1, Blair 0
WHS (3-0) 0 1 — 1
BHS (1-1) 0 0 — 0
Goal: Cooper Wittler.
