Cadets spoil Cougars' senior night

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

ROACHDALE -- Cascade spoiled senior night for the North Putnam boys soccer team, winning 2-0 in a West Central Conference match Monday on the Cougars' field.

"We didn't play real well," North Putnam coach David Moeller said. "We had an off day. I wish we could play them again. Something wasn't clicking and, unfortunately, it happened on senior night. We'd liked to have won for them, but it wasn't meant to be."

Moeller has been pleased with how the Cougars (5-7, 0-2 WCC) have played this season.

"We've played well this season," Moeller said. "We've played well against a lot of teams. We've been putting up a lot of goals."

The Cadets (3-7-2, 1-1 WCC) scored its first goal with 12:58 remaining in the first half on a shot from 20 yards out by Michael Ferguson. Ferguson was in the center of the field when he pivoted and shot with only one defender and goalkeeper, Michael Zuver, between him and the goal. The ball deflected off the North Putnam defender, which caused it to drastically change directions.

"The deflection caught Michael going the wrong way and he couldn't recover," Moeller said. "Michael has played real well this season."

Earlier in the first half, Cascade's Daljot Baljwa had the ball in the open coming down the middle of the field and Zuver reacted aggressively, venturing 20 yards out to block the shot coming off Baljwa's foot. Baljwa jammed his foot on the play and left the field.

North Putnam's best scoring opportunities were in the final 10 minutes of the first half, but several shots missed the net.

Ferguson scored Cascade's second goal with 11:20 remaining with a perfectly placed shot. He lofted it over the defense and the leaping Zuver couldn't reach it. The ball lodged into the left corner.

North Putnam's best chance to score in the second half came on a breakaway by Chandler Meyer with 5:30 remaining. The senior forward dribbled the ball past defenders at midfield and launched a hard shot from 20 yards that was headed for the right side of the net. Cascade goalkeeper Avery Franklin's diving, mid-air deflection knocked it away.

At North Putnam

Cascade 2, North Putnam 0

First half

C -- Goal by Ferguson at 12:58.

Second half

C -- Goal by Ferguson at 11:20