Blue Ridge soccer shuts down Murphy 3-1

Playing conference game number two of the week, the Bobcats started off slow but caught their stride in the second half.

“It was a good game,” said Junior Yurem Corona. “If we played together like we did in the second half then we could really live up to the expectations. And we couldn’t have done this without coach, he’s the leader.”

Michael Martinez takes a kick to the shin but maintains control of the ball at home against Murphy yesterday.

Head Coach Nick Pressler said the first half was “messy.”

“Our offense just wasn’t in sync,” said Pressler. “Second half was much more productive. We moved the ball better and the defense stepped it up.”

This is the play that took goalie Levi Taylor out of the game for a couple of minutes to catch his breath.

Late in the first half goalie and senior Levi Taylor took a cleat to the stomache and had to take a quick breather on the sideline, but he was back making saves for the second half.

“It wasn’t that bad today,” said Taylor. “They had a couple of one on ones, they scored on one of them, but they didn’t put too much pressure on me.”

Noah Pressler gets jostled around by some Murphy players while dribbling to the goal.

Besides diving to block shots, Taylor also helps coordinate the defense by being the eyes and ears in the back of the field.

“I’m talking to them the whole time,” said Taylor. “And they played way better as a unit in the second half. It was much easier on me.”

#22 on Murphy was given a yellow card after hip checking #18 Alexis Helvert.

The Bobcats have an away game against Hayesville at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27. Pressler said he has a team of experienced travelers and road games do not phase them.

“We’re used to away games, this group has traveled,” said Pressler. “They’ve (Hayesville) got a good offense, and two fast strikers. We’ll be playing a different game plan against them.”