Sophomore Theo Kaufman looks to score as he takes a free kick against Buckingham on Oct. 13. The Cavs lost, 2-3.

Struggling to control midfield against Buckingham, Cavs lose, 2-3

The boys’ soccer team suffered a disappointing loss to the Buckingham Knights, 2-3, at Vaca Pena Middle School. The Cavs expected to win this game after beating the Knights 2-0 at home previously.

About 15 minutes into the game, a Knights’ player broke past the defense leaving him in a 1-on-1 situation with senior goalie Brad Petchauer. The Knights’ player chipped the ball over his head, putting Buckingham up, 1-0.

But the Knights weren’t done. They were quick to be on the offensive and 10 minutes later were in scoring position. Petchauer was forced to come out of the goalie box once again to stop the ball, but this time the Knight passed it to a teammate by the opposite post, resulting in another easy point for Buckingham.

Petchauer said it was easy for the Knights to score because the Cavs couldn’t control the midfield.

“They were able to get it past our midfielders and then past our defenders easily,” Petchauer said.

Towards the end of the first half, the Cavs pushed with newfound energy. Sophomore B.J. Askew crossed the ball down the middle to senior Diego Perochena, who tapped the ball in, decreasing the lead to 2-1.

For most of the beginning of the second half, the Cavs were able to retain possession on the Knights’ side of the field.

But once again the Cavs’ defense began to falter as the half went on. The Cavs’ midfielders began to lose control, and the Knights completed passes across the middle. The Knights got into another 1-on-1 with Petchauer, who spread his legs too wide.

The ball rolled right through his legs into the goal, putting the Knights up 3-1.

In a last-ditch effort to score, the Cavs shoved down the field. The ball was kicked out, resulting in a corner kick. Askew took the kick, launching it into the middle of the goalie box.

After a fight for the ball, it was kicked out to Perochena. He launched the ball into the top right corner of the goal, decreasing the lead to 3-2.

Towards the end of the game, sophomore Jayce McCain scuffled with a Knights’ player. Even though junior Jesus Galindo-Sanchez was sitting out injured, he ran onto the field to protect McCain. Although the fight didn’t escalate past a verbal altercation, McCain said he was happy that Galindo stood up for him.

Petchauer said they lost the game because they let too many through balls get past them.

“We need to control the middle of the field to prevent them from passing through balls over our heads,” he said.

The Cavs’ next game will be at home against Cristo Rey at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16.

—By Jake Longoria

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