Boys soccer team falls to Musselman

by Jamie Harris
Heading into this week’s match up against Musselman, the Tribe was looking for an effective way to slow down the Applemen’s attack.

Head Coach Carl Wise drew up a game plan that took the state All Time leading scorer Zach Wise from his striker/forward position to taking over the goal keeping duties. Coach Wise said he knew Zach Wise could play goal keeper, and we have other players who are capable of scoring for us. The change shocked Musselman and when the Indians came out aggressive it put the Applemen into back pedal mode.

The opening 40 minutes resulted in no goals for either side. Musselman outshot Berkeley Springs, 6-3, but when Zach Wise was moved up to his striker position in the second half, Musselman scored taking a 2-0 victory Thursday night at Musselman High Schools.

Once the first half came to a close, Carl Wise pulled Zach Wise out of the net and placed him at striker, finding a shot nine minutes into the second half, but a counter attack by Musselman resulted in the match's opening goal.

Five minutes later, the Indians Jordan Schultz was setting up the Musselman attack for another shot attempt, but a tackle from behind by teammate Jake Truax set up the Applemen with a penalty kick.

On the penalty shot, Musselman’s Jonathan Paxson struck a ball that bounced off of the chest of Tribe keeper Jeff Breeden and found the back of the net to give Musselman a 2-0 lead.

Zach Wise found a couple opportunities, including one that hit the bottom of the crossbar, but did not completely pass the goal line with 8:02 remaining in the match.

"We needed that goal," Carl Wise said. "It was close, but that's soccer. It's a game of about an inch, so it happens."

Berkeley Springs is now 3-4 for the year. Up next is an away match up with the Martinsburg Bulldogs on September 11.