celebrate Scott's game-winning goal
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
The Tigers used a familiar formula for success in an exciting 1-0 Missota Conference win over Northfield Tuesday night, Sept. 8, at Tiger Stadium.
Simply put, the winning combination reads as follows: efficient offense + stellar defense + air-tight goaltending = 5 wins 0 losses 1 tie.
The hard-charging Tigers ran their 2011 unbeaten streak to six games by virtue of Brandon Scott's fourth goal (from Blake Smith) in the last two games, this one tallied at the 28:40 mark of the first half.
Sam Leske has led a Tiger defense that has allowed just
one goal in six games this season (photo by Jim Lindquist)
The remainder of the first half and all of the second belonged to the defense and goalkeeper Chad Stivers who combined to post the team's fifth shutout in six outings. Farmington has allowed but one goal in 500 minutes of play this season.
"I can't say enough about how this team is stepping up to the challenges," coach Julian Buss said. "They believe in themselves and have adopted the attitude that they can outplay anyone out there.
"This was a big win for us. Northfield is not only a conference rival but a section school as well."
Buss credited the defense, led by senior captain Sam Leske, and senior goalkeeper Chad Stivers with putting the clamps on a talented Northfield team.
"The defense played lights-out," he said, "stopping some very talented, athletic and physical Northfield players...We worked hard at winning the 50-50 balls, especially in the midfield area."
Stivers made some critical saves, including one on a direct kick from 25 yards out where he punched the ball out inches away from the top of the goal. Northfield also sent a penalty kick wide, a shot that according to Buss would have been another save for his senior keeper.
"If it had been on target, Chad was in position to make the save," he said.
The Tigers put their unbeaten streak on the line Monday, Sept. 12, when they travel to Bloomington Kennedy for a non-conference tilt. Thursday they return to Missota Conference action with a road game at Red Wing.
