BRIDGETOWN - After an impressive 3-0 win today, the Bridgetown senior boys soccer team have their last game of the season to look forward to, the high stakes NSSAF provincial gold medal game on Saturday.
The Division 2 Bridgetown Regional Community School Hawks enjoyed good weather and a comfortable 2-0 lead at the end of their first half against Breton Education Centre. The teams were well matched, with many close shots on either side, which made for an edge-of-your-seat game.
Co-captain Hudson Joudrey (#16) was responsible for both of the goals during the first half. One curled directly into the net from a corner kick, and the other flew straight in during a penalty shot.
The turbulent wind Friday afternoon both helped and hindered certain plays, sometimes adding an extra punch to a kick, or sometimes stopping the ball in it’s tracks. Despite the added unpredictability brought on by the wind, BRCS goalie Andrew Long made some impressive saves, and successfully defended the home team’s net, not letting a single shot go past him.
The Fans
There was a great community presence there for the boys, as seen by the number of bodies on the bleachers, and as heard by the loudness of their cheering. Some of the BRCS Senior Boys’ most enthusiastic supporters were members of the BRCS Senior Girls soccer team, whose own season ended when they lost their final game in the provincial qualifiers, going into double overtime.
The Senior Girls team members yelled encouragement to the players and discussed superstition amongst themselves, knocking on wood, and commenting during the midway break that “a two-goal lead is the hardest to keep.”
The BRCS boys did manage to keep their lead however, and added another tally for good measure. The third and final goal was notched by Ben Vidito (#13), just as it started to rain.
As the game drew closer to it’s finish, the play became more desperate, but BRCS’ strong defensive team, including Quinton Havenga (#8) and Bradley Charlton (#11), guarded their half of the field successfully.
Strong Game
“We played a strong game today, and I’m pretty happy with the team,” said Havenga after today’s win. “We’re gonna come out strong tomorrow and hopefully bring home the provincial championship.”
Joudrey also offered his thoughts as he came off the field: “Great overall team effort, team played hard, finished hard, loved the sportsmanship, it was a good game.”
With the win today, the BRCS boys have clinched their place in the championship game, held tomorrow at 12 p.m. on BRCS’ field, where they will play against Halifax Grammar School on home soil for the NSSAF provincial title.
Halifax Grammar earned a berth in the championship game with a win over New Germany.
