Boys Soccer: Tigers, Irish play to scoreless tie

Goaltender Jake Agnew (11 saves) did not allow a goal in his first varsity start

Farmington and Rosemount played 90 minutes of up-and-down soccer in the season opener for both teams played Thursday afternoon at Tiger Stadium but when the final horn sounded, enither could claim victory in a 0-0 overtime tie.
 

"All in all, a quality start," Farmington coach Julian Buss said. "I asked the boys during pre-game to define success by looking at things they could control, such as their individual effort, perseverance, focus and ability to react to adverse situations.  I feel as though they made strides in the right direction and that we can count this first match as a success."

Much of the first half was played in the midfield area with neither team managing to get many open looks at the goal. Farmington's attack suffered a big blow 10 minutes into the game when Robin DeCastro left the field with a foot injury and did not return.

Robin DeCastro suffered a foot injury in the first half and did not return

The halftime break seemed to serve as a springboard with both sides picking up the pace after intermission. The Tigers had several scoring chances but none could find the mark.

Tiger sophomore goaltender Jake Agnew came up with a big save with 10:30 left in regulation to thwart an Irish threat and a timely defensive play on a Rosemount indirect kick from out front stifled the last Rosemount opportunity with fewer than five minutes to go. Agnew finsiehd his varsity debut with 11 saves.


"Our team strength for this game was our depth and ability to recover from tough situations," Buss said. "We handled an indirect kick situation inside the 18 very well in addition to some good second clear opportunities."

 "What I would like to see more is pressure on the opposing goalie in front of the net with quick one-touch passes resulting in shot opportunities. Additionally, I feel we can work on possession in the middle as we work our way up the field."  

The Tigers have just one ay of practice to work out the kinks from the opener. Saturday they travel to
Lakeville North for a date with the Panthers. 

Tigers defend a second half corner kick