Brookings – The Bobcats dominated play to earn a 3-0 Eastern South Dakota Conference win over previously unbeaten Brandon Valley on Saturday at Fishback Soccer Park.
“Physically, we looked really good – in the second half is where we broke them down – we were possessing on their side a lot more,” said BHS head coach Steve Binkley. “Everyone thought of this as a ‘revenge’ game, we came back against Brandon Valley in a conference game and gave them their first loss.”
The ‘Cats, coming off a 1-0 loss to Sioux Falls Lincoln on Thursday, looked determined throughout the match – and caught a huge break with a goal in the final seconds of the first half when Keegan Fields found the back of the net off an assist from David Park.
“Unbelievable – to be able to have a half where we had some chances and didn’t connect – after having a game against Lincoln with opportunities and not scoring; (and then) having a half with opportunities and not scoring – our bench on the sideline went nuts (after the Keegan’s goal).
“It let the guys play a little looser in the second half and just play their game.”
Brookings added to its lead in the 10 minutes into the second half when Mo Ismail was fouled in the box – and Ulises Azuero fired the ensuing penalty kick off a diving Sedric Barton, who got a piece of the PK but the pace was too much as the Bobcats went up 2-0.
The ‘Cats added with less than 7 minutes to play as Ismail hammered a loose ball into the open net after Barton saved a shot, but couldn’t control the carom.
For the match, Brookings held a 19-4 edge in shots, including a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal, in improving to 4-1-1 on the season and 4-0 in the ESD.
The Bobcats travel to Mitchell on Tuesday for another ESD contest that begins at 4 p.m.
