DECATUR -- The Decatur Bulldogs came up short on goals when they took on the Berryville Bobcats at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur April 7 for the third conference match of the 2016 season.
Barry James, Decatur soccer coach, tried a different strategy in the first half of the match by focusing on the defense rather than offense.
The Bobcats used this to their advantage and scored the first points 10 minutes into the match. They continued to press the Bulldog defense throughout the remainder of the first half, taking a 6 to 0 lead at the break.
In the second half the Bulldog defense began to take shape and they allowed only one goal for the entire 20 minutes (because of the lead, the half was shortened).
Jafett Puga and Marck Guadarrama made several unsuccessful runs against a strong Berryville goal keeper. By this time, the damage was already done and the Berryville Bobcats handed the Decatur Bulldogs their third conference lose of the season, 7-0.
Decatur is now 0 and 3 in conference play and 0-5-1 overall.
With the season at its half-way point, James has shifted his attention to his younger players and next season.
"At this point in the season, my focus has shifted to rebuilding," James said. "We have a lot of new guys, so my focus will be on giving these guys more play time."
The Bulldogs will play two conference games at Bulldog Stadium against the 2 and 1 Danville Little Johns April 12 and the Gentry Pioneers April 14. The Pioneers are currently 1 and 3 in conference play and 1 and 5 overall.
For more on the Decatur soccer program, go to decatursd.com/athletics/soccer.
Sports on 04/13/2016