Cougars hang with Bulldogs

Thursday, October 1, 2009

ROACHDALE --With the postseason just a week away, the North Putnam Cougars boy soccer team made a statement to any team that thinks they are going to roll over and play dead -- it's not happening.

For over 65 minutes, North Putnam went head-to-head with Monrovia, who coming into the match was 7-3, with keeper Brandon Volland blocking everything that the Bulldogs could kick at him. He even blocked a penalty kick early in the second half.

"We played with them for the first 65 minutes," NPHS coach Dave Moeller said. "The keeper did a good job for us tonight."

The Bulldogs didn't score a goal until the 14:53 mark when Aaron Royal faked out Volland and scored on a penalty kick.

Then as the temperature got colder, Monrovia's offense got more aggressive, taking shot after shot at Volland, but couldn't get anything through until the last 4:30 when Monrovia's Tony Patterson kicked one over Volland's head as he slide for the ball for the final 2-0.

"It's hard to win a game when you give up PKs," Moeller said.

The Cougars nearly cut the lead in half with just under two minutes left when Chandler Meyer took a head on shot at the Bulldog's goal, but keeper Bryce Wicks was too quick and blocked the shot.

Just over halfway through the second half, Monrovia's Travis Flock got one passed Volland. But the goal was denied, due to Monrovia being offsides.

"This was tough one to lose," Moeller said. "I know they wanted to win it, the seniors, but they played a good game. All the seniors did."

North Putnam will be back in action on Monday when it travels to South Vermillion for its final regular season game, beginning at 5 p.m.

At North Putnam

North Putnam 0 0 -- 0

Monrovia 0 2 -- 2

Second half

MO -- Royal PK 14:53

MO -- Patterson 4:35

Next match -- North Putnam will be back in action on Monday when it travels to South Vermillion for its final regular season game, beginning at 5 p.m.