War Eagles' patience pays off in win over Kingwood

SHENANDOAH, Texas - The Oak Ridge War Eagles varsity soccer team defeated the Kingwood Mustangs 1-0 on Friday night, continuing their impressive district run with a total of five wins, seven games into district. The War Eagles played a patient game even in times of pressure, which in the end contributed to a win over a highly credited district team.

“They are a difficult team to break down because they sit and defend with large numbers and try to catch you on the counter, so we did a good job of just being patient,” said Oak Ridge head coach Gareth Glick. “We played well tonight, much better than Tuesday. We didn’t force things, and played with patience.”

The goal for the War Eagles (5-0-2) came with 18 minutes left in the first half when Junior Midfielder Brian Strippe ran the ball down the right side of Oak Ridge’s attacking third. Strippe shot the ball from his position on the right side of the field, in which beat all Kingwood players including the keeper, who dove too early. The ball landed in the near side of the goal in the back of the net, and the team celebrated the goal against their opponents who would bring nearly all players back to defend.

Although the War Eagles only scored one goal, they took advantage of many dangerous attacks against the Mustangs throughout the game. One attack in particular proved threatening, as in the 5th-minute of the second half Kingwood was marked for a foul, and Oak Ridge defender Christian Treto took the free kick for the War Eagles in the middle third. Treto sent a lofted, drive ball to the far side of the goal, and a Kingwood player managed to clear it out of bounds and give Oak Ridge a corner kick. Senior Marcos Chavez took the corner, and sent the ball in with hopes a teammate would get a head on it. An Oak Ridge player did manage to get a shot off, but the Kingwood keeper made sure to scoop up the ball before it crossed the goal line.

The War Eagles continued with another dangerous attack in the 15th-minute of the second half, in which keeper Ethan Helberg directed a goal kick down the sideline and into the War Eagles’ attacking third. Sophomore forward Devonte Brown picked up Helberg’s ball, but Kingwood defenders managed to clear it out of bounds. Oak Ridge continued pressing, however, and received a corner kick, in which Marcos Chavez sent a ball into the 18 yard box yet again, but the War Eagles were not able to get a shot off before Kingwood cleared the ball.

The Mustangs are notorious for bringing back nearly all players in times of defensive peril, even defending with 9 players in some circumstances. They continued their tradition style of play against Oak Ridge, at times adding difficulty to the situation presented to the War Eagles. However, the War Eagles managed to break down the Mustangs, and came out on top in a highly anticipated district game.

The Oak Ridge War Eagles continue district play on Tuesday, February 24, at Conroe.