Boys soccer team showing improvement against tough opponents
From our weekly issue dated October 14, 2009
Anthony Realmuto with the ball. (Photo by Lorraine Schlabach, IVHS Yearbook staff)
The Cougar boys soccer players achieved their best first half all year against the Henley Hornets on Tuesday, Oct. 6, in Klamath Falls -- especially David Perata, who surrendered only one goal with nine saves.
The first half ended 1-0 Hornets. “Daniel Nordal and Kenny Krska played well,” said head coach Gary Enoch.
The first 20 minutes of the second half, I.V. picked up right where it left off and held the Hornets at bay. However it is the final 20 minutes of almost every game where the Cougars lose their legs. Fatigue causes mental lapses and loss of decision-making.
The Hornets scored five more times. However, Perata still shined with 17 saves in the second half.
“Woody Gutshall-Douglas played better than he ever has and was under the weather to boot,” said Enoch. “I now know what to expect from him when he is healthy. This was the best 60 minutes of soccer I have seen since being a coach at I.V. Too bad the games are 80 minutes long,” the coach lamented.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, in Cave Junction against the Hidden Valley Mustangs the Cougar squad was just out-manned. But Enoch got the most out of his available players, with a couple of them fighting the flu bug.
The Cougars played fantastic team soccer and stopped the Mustangs at every turn, especially in the attack area except twice. The half time score was 2-0 HV. Once again late in the second half the Cougs ran out of petrol and gave up 5 goals, with the final score 7-0.
“This is a classic example of low numbers,” said Enoch. “As a player, when you are fatigued, the first to go are your concentration and communication.”
This year’s team low numbers are unusual. Normally they are higher. But many players graduated last year, and this year’s freshman turnout was low.
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“Jim Buck, Anthony Realmuto, and Dylan ‘The Bear’ Skidmore played extremely well,” said Enoch.
Although ill, Skidmore played the entire game with an extended trip to the bench, and Gutshall-Douglas has been ill for a week. Perata had 14 saves in the loss.
The Cougar profile this week goes to Gutshall-Douglas and Jason Meichtry. In Enoch’s tongue-in-cheek opinion, Woody Gutshall-Douglas, should stay sick.
“Woody has played some of his best soccer the last two games while not feeling well,” continued Enoch. “Gutshall-Douglas is the type of player you love to have on your team. He is a real coach-able player and always strives for the approval of his teammates and coaches on his play during the game.”
Meichtry’s performance against the Mustangs was nothing less than spectacular until his ankle injury. He applied constant defensive pressure on every Mustang who had the ball. A real pest.
Offensively he was “Jason on-the-spot,” whether it be a pass to his teammate, a header to push the ball up, or a stop on ball in air. Jason was there. His enthusiastic approach to the game inspires his team. Don’t let his height fool you. He has kindly helped several of his opponents to the ground.
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