MAKING A HEADS-UP play, Bradley Central junior Leo Franco (7) redirects the ball during Tuesday afternoon’s District 5-AAA action against Soddy-Daisy. The Trojans claimed a 3-1 victory in the match. Banner photo, JOE CANNON
“We didn’t play the way we should have the whole night, and it cost us,” first-year Bear head coach Tucker Blackman assessed after the 3-1 home loss to Soddy-Daisy.
“We had no intensity and didn’t play smart,” he continued. “We had several good opportunities but couldn’t cash in.”
The loss drops the Bears to 4-2-2 on the season, with both losses coming to district foes. “This hurt us in the district,” Blackman related.
Bradley has district wins over Rhea County and Walker Valley, but has dropped matches against McMinn County and now Soddy. The Bears will travel to Red Bank and Silverdale on Thursday and Monday before returning to 5-AAA action against Cleveland next Wednesday. Bradley will wrap up its district slate against Ooltewah May 2.
Soddy-Daisy (5-4-2, 4-1-1 District 5-AAA) scored in the first 2 1/2 minutes of Tuesday’s match at BCHS. “We didn’t come out amped up,” Blackman remarked.
The Bears answered just five minutes later when junior scoring machine Miles Christian netted a free kick.
Bradley controlled much of the rest of the half until the final two minutes, when it got whistled for a foul in the box that led to a penalty kick. The Trojan nailed the shot and the boys from northern Hamilton County led 2-1 at the half.
“We had several opportunities in the first half but they just dried up,” Blackman bemoaned.
In the second half Soddy-Daisy dictated the play most of the time, keeping the hosts pinned back in their territory most of the time. The Trojans’ final score came in the last two minutes of play.
“Overall our defense wasn’t what it has been but Cody Arrowood and Jordan Steels really kept us in the game,” coach Blackman praised.
“We had four guys, Logan Fetzner, Byron Pineda, Cody (Arrowood) and Jorda (Steels) who really kept the pedal down the whole time,” he assessed.
“Cody has done it all year, plus Jordan and Byron were really strong today,” Blackman related. “Byron has been a great surprise. He has been awesome the last four games since we moved him from outside to the middle.”
Bear goalkeeper Ramon Gomez made eight saves while Soddy-Daisy outshot the home team 16-11 in the match. Trojan goalie Drew Hale made five stops.
Nick O’Berg, Pat Doub and Jordan Edwards each scored a goal for the visitors, while Trent Sanders had an assist.
