by Jen Burhans
The Berlin boys JV soccer team is off to a good start. The boys have completed 9 games already this season, and their record is 5-3-1. With a full roster the team is very competitive even against schools in the bigger divisions.
The team has five returning players, three middle-schoolers and 11 new players. Seven players have combined to score 22 goals, and the defense has allowed only 18. The boys have jelled very fast and the seasoned players have mixed well with the new players to keep the flow going and are able to be a big scoring threat. Defensively, having speed at the midfield and multiple substitutes have kept the opposing team out of the net while three new goalies get on the job training. The two returning goalies get time to brush up on some field work, and they have almost scored for Berlin.
On Saturday, September 20, the JV traveled to Stillwater for a game on the turf field under the lights. The game was very intense and play went back and forth until Stillwater finally stuck and broke open for a long goal. This was the first time Berlin faced a full Stillwater team and while defensively Berlin was very strong they were unable to convert on several opportunities to score. Missing a couple of key players in their fast attack force proved the difference for Berlin, and they were unable to match Stillwater’s 3 goals.
It was a great chance for the boys to play under the lights and Coach Burhans was pleased with their overall play. The game was closer than the score indicated. Burhans said that “many of the parents were able to make this game and it was nice to hear all the cheers for the players from their supporters.”
