War Eagles show composure in win over Conroe

CONROE, Texas - The Oak Ridge War Eagles’ varsity soccer team defeated the Conroe Tigers 2-1 in the second district game of the season, outsmarting Conroe by maintaing composure throughout the evenly matched game.

“It was a good win for us today, a good result,” said Oak Ridge coach Gareth Glick. “It was good because Tuesday was really disappointing, we played really well and deserved the result on Tuesday, it just didn’t go our way.”

Oak Ridge (6-1, 1-1) scored both goals in the first half, with the first goal coming in the 21st-minute from defender Alejandro Longoria. Longoria recovered a lose ball away from pressure in the middle of the final third following a dangerous War Eagle attack, and shot a driven low ball just left of the Conroe keeper’s hands. Immediately following the kick off, the Tigers retaliated with an attack on Oak Ridge, capitalizing on an opportunity to shoot within one minute of the War Eagles’ goal. The shot went wide, allowing the War Eagle keeper Ethan Helberg to restart the game with a goal kick resulting in his team’s possession.

The second goal of the game was scored due to Oak Ridge’s placement around the ball and patience; Conroe fouled Oak Ridge in the 29th-minute, giving the War Eagles a free kick on the left side of the final third. The Tiger defense made sure to get behind junior Logan Aucoin’s kick, clearing it out of bounds and giving Oak Ridge a corner kick. The Tiger goalkeeper attempted to punch the crossed ball away from pressure, but only to direction it near ORHS midfielder Marcos Chavez, who quickly picked it up and chipped the out of position Conroe keeper.

The second half was introduced by physicality, with both Oak Ridge and Conroe being marked for fouls within the first five minutes. Conroe answered their opponents two goals in the first half with a goal in the 21st-minute of the second, with a switch from the left side of the final third to the center of the War Eagles’ goal. There a Conroe payer rested, waiting to get on the end of his teammate’s ball and finish the opportunity with a forceful shot that brought the ball just wide of Helberg’s hands, bringing the score to 2-1.

The match ended with two Tiger yellow cards, one of which was given due to a Tiger frontal push of a War Eagle when play was paused. The War Eagles did not retaliate to the attempted fight, maintaining good sportsmanship and a level head. The game ended in high emotions and anticipation, with the Oak Ridge players and fans obviously excited over the team’s triumph, especially after their loss on Tuesday.

The Oak Ridge War Eagles continue district play on Tuesday, February 3, at Atascosita at 7:30 p.m.