By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
SUAMICO—A coach or team never wants to see a game end in a tie.
However, when a team is coming off a sectional final and number two ranking to end 2018 as the Neenah Rockets were, the Bay Pirates boys’ soccer team can take some solace in a 0-0 tie, August 28, at Bay Port High School.
“I thought we matched Neenah’s intensity in the first half,” said Travis Herber, Bay Port head coach. “Our shots were even, and I thought we played a lot of the 45 minutes on the offensive side of the field.”
In the opening minutes, Payton Schilz sent a cross from 37 yards out to a cutting Justin Howe who just missed a clean look on goal.
Neenah got its first decent chance on goal in the 26th minute when Christian Quinonez danced around the Pirates zone before sending a shot that sailed just over the crossbar.
“Our defense was superb in backtracking and clearing the zone when needed,” added Herber.
Bryce Destree remained stout in goal the first half making four saves in route to a scoreless first half.
Whatever was said in the Rockets huddle at halftime seemed to light a fire for the final 45 minutes.
In the first ten minutes of the second half, Neenah peppered the Pirates net with shot-upon-shot.
Priest Thomas appeared to put the Rockets up 1-0 in the 47th minute with a quick flick on net but the ball went up on the netting just above the goal.
“I think our kids ran out of some gas there in the second half,” Herber said. “Give their (Neenah) kids credit for coming out with a lot of energy. We got fortunate to clear or have Bryce make a save.”
In the 57th minute, Bay Port had their best chance of the game when they had a free kick from 27 yards out. Peyton Nichols redirected the ball and at the last minute hit the right post and the ball shot out toward the sidelines.
In the final 10 minutes both goalies each came out of their net once to play a ball. Fortunately, for each club, the defenders were up to the task of not letting the ball go through their net as the game ended with neither scoring.
“We’ll use this game to figure out who we can put out on the field and how to get better from game-to-game,” added Herber. “It was a four-goal turnaround from last year. I’m excited for the upcoming games to see what we can do as a group.”
Box Score:
Neenah: 0,0—0
Bay Port: 0,0—0