Wesleyan nips Greensboro Day, 1-0
HIGH POINT – A halftime adjustment was just what the Wesleyan Christian boys soccer team needed.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Trojans scored the lone goal of the game and dictated pressure much better all over the field in the second half to defeat Greensboro Day 1-0 in a battle of state-ranked rivals Tuesday at Wesleyan.
“I was very impressed with Greensboro Day in the first half,” Wesleyan coach Scott Reitnour said. “They were incredibly well-organized. They left two holding midfielders and four backs in excellent shape and made things really, really difficult for us to get behind. And they were very dangerous in the counter.
“But we came out in the second half, made one tactical change and then our guys play the way we play. The ball stayed on the ground, there was mobility in front of the ball, and we played wide to go inside. And our defensive pressure was significantly better than it was in the first half.”
Malik Brahim gave the Trojans (14-0 overall, 5-0 PACIS 2A/3A) the advantage in the 53rd minute off an assist by Benji Omungu. Similar to how he scored the game’s only goal a month ago in the teams’ previous meeting, Brahim connected on a quick give-and-go moving through the box.
“We had to work as a team,” said Brahim, a sophomore forward. “You have to work as a team to win. We just came together and did our best. … It felt great, because GDS is a great team. So, scoring against GDS is the best feeling ever.”
Wesleyan, ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 1 among state 3A teams, struggled to break through early on. The Bengals (8-4-2, 3-2), ranked No. 6 among state 3A teams, possessed well and created opportunities of their own during an evenly played first half.
But the Trojans, who hit a couple shots off the goal frame, tweaked their midfield positioning at halftime, particularly involving Brahim and Cooper Robbins. That allowed them to play more to their style, control the game better and find the net in yet another hard-fought rivalry match.
“I couldn’t have been more disappointed with our team in the first half,” Reitnour said, “but I couldn’t have been more proud of them in the second half. So, I was very pleased to see their willingness to go do what they’re capable of doing.”
Michael Buckland made seven saves for Wesleyan on nine shots by Greensboro Day, while Matt Hudson made nine saves for the Bengals on 18 shots by the Trojans.
Wesleyan plays again Thursday at home against Davidson Day and Friday at home against Forsyth Country Day.
HIGH POINT – A halftime adjustment was just what the Wesleyan Christian boys soccer team needed.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Trojans scored the lone goal of the game and dictated pressure much better all over the field in the second half to defeat Greensboro Day 1-0 in a battle of state-ranked rivals Tuesday at Wesleyan.
“I was very impressed with Greensboro Day in the first half,” Wesleyan coach Scott Reitnour said. “They were incredibly well-organized. They left two holding midfielders and four backs in excellent shape and made things really, really difficult for us to get behind. And they were very dangerous in the counter.
“But we came out in the second half, made one tactical change and then our guys play the way we play. The ball stayed on the ground, there was mobility in front of the ball, and we played wide to go inside. And our defensive pressure was significantly better than it was in the first half.”
Malik Brahim gave the Trojans (14-0 overall, 5-0 PACIS 2A/3A) the advantage in the 53rd minute off an assist by Benji Omungu. Similar to how he scored the game’s only goal a month ago in the teams’ previous meeting, Brahim connected on a quick give-and-go moving through the box.
“We had to work as a team,” said Brahim, a sophomore forward. “You have to work as a team to win. We just came together and did our best. … It felt great, because GDS is a great team. So, scoring against GDS is the best feeling ever.”
Wesleyan, ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 1 among state 3A teams, struggled to break through early on. The Bengals (8-4-2, 3-2), ranked No. 6 among state 3A teams, possessed well and created opportunities of their own during an evenly played first half.
But the Trojans, who hit a couple shots off the goal frame, tweaked their midfield positioning at halftime, particularly involving Brahim and Cooper Robbins. That allowed them to play more to their style, control the game better and find the net in yet another hard-fought rivalry match.
“I couldn’t have been more disappointed with our team in the first half,” Reitnour said, “but I couldn’t have been more proud of them in the second half. So, I was very pleased to see their willingness to go do what they’re capable of doing.”
Michael Buckland made seven saves for Wesleyan on nine shots by Greensboro Day, while Matt Hudson made nine saves for the Bengals on 18 shots by the Trojans.
Wesleyan plays again Thursday at home against Davidson Day and Friday at home against Forsyth Country Day.
