Cougars scratch JV Blazers

Sept. 26, BLAZER STADIUM

The boys' junior varsity soccer team was worn out from the previous day's emotionally charged game against the Churchill Bulldogs, a hard-fought game that ended in a loss for Blair. An air of fatigue hung over their game yesterday against the Quince Orchard Cougars. The Blazers lost 1-0 but they gave the game a good shot.

The Blazers had trouble making much progress on offense in the beginning of the first half until forward Gui Pires brought badly needed vigor and aggressiveness to the game after sitting on the side line for 12 minutes. Eighteen minutes into the game, the Cougars nearly scored on a corner kick but the Blazer defenders managed to get the ball up field after a long series of headers.

The second half began explosively, each team making dangerous attacks at each other's goal. Defender Michael Mozer fouled a Cougar 14 minutes into the half and the Cougars earned a point on a subsequent free kick, bringing the score to 1-0 against Blair. The Blazers struggled thereafter to turn the game around. The Cougars played a solid defensive game while the Blazers tired and began to make petty mistakes toward the end. Forward Wayne Henderson was still visibly feeling pain in his leg from the game against Churchill. Pires and the other offensive players were not passing well and they would often fire the ball too far up field. The Blazers were also committing an uncharacteristically high number of fouls, with Mozer receiving a yellow card 18 minutes into the second half.

Despite the disappointing loss, the Blazers did not play terribly. The Cougars at various times during the second half seemed determined to score another goal against Blair but were thwarted by the Blazer defense, which remained solid throughout the game despite a few mishaps.

But the players and coaches were self-critical at the end of the game. "The defenders were dribbling too much and things just weren't good on offense," said a frustrated Pires. "It was just bad."

"The other team had a solid defense and their successes were because of our mistakes," said assistant-coach Howard Kohn. "But it's all right. They'll do better."