Boys soccer team wins opener

August 26, 2010

On Monday, August 23, Berkeley Springs High School kicked off the 2010 soccer season with games against Pocahontas County. The Berkeley Springs boys team enjoyed a 5-1 win, while the girls team fell to the Lady Warriors 7-2.

Between the two games fallen Indian Alex Rickli was recognized by her teammates and coaches. In a poignant ceremony the team presented the Rickli family with a signed soccer ball and the sign for the new Alex Rickli Memorial Soccer Complex was unveiled.

Prior to the ceremony the boys team defeated Pocahontas County 5-1, in a game completely dominated by the Indians, although you would have never known by the halftime score of 1-1. I doubt it is an exaggeration to say that at least 35 minutes of the opening half (40 min.) were played on the Pocahontas side of the field. The Indians had multiple opportunities, but could score only one goal during that span, when Zach Wise beat the Warrior goalkeeper in the games 10th minute, giving the Indians a 1-0 lead.

Pocahontas County tied the game minutes later and the two teams went to the intermission deadlocked at one goal each.

Berkeley Springs kept the pressure on in the second half and pulled away for the four-goal victory.

Guidel Guzman, who scored a "hat trick" gave the Indians the lead for good when he hit a rocket from the right side past the Pocahontas County goalie at about the eight minute mark of the second half. Minutes later Guzman scored again followed by a another goal from Wise, before Guzman scored on a penalty kick in the games closing seconds for the final margin of victory.

After the tribute to Rickli the girls team took the field and quickly fell behind 2-0. However, a pair of goals from Leah Kidwell tied the game at 2-2 after the opening 40 minutes. Berkeley Springs goalkeeper Angel Brady made three nice saves in the first half to keep the Indians in the game, but it was all Pocahontas County after the break, as they scored five times to down the Tribe 7-2.
Berkeley Springs will play at Washington this evening, August 25.