Sports Editor

It was yet another tough game for the Bulldog boys’ soccer team as they came up short in a 2—1 loss to GMC this week.

The Bulldogs did everything they could offensively but score in the game as things started off quickly for Morgan County (0—3). A pass from the Morgan County midfield through the heart of the GMC defense found a streaking Tyler Thomas who broke free for a one—on—one against the goalkeeper. But, indicative of the unlucky Bulldog attack, the keeper came up with the save to keep the score knotted at zero.

GMC struck first when a bad clear by goalkeeper Jeremy Duff found a wide open GMC attacker who took a touch and sent a shot into the back of the net to put Morgan County down 1—0. Errant passes in the back almost proved costly on several occasions in the first half but the Bulldog defense utilizing their speed in the back were able to keep the GMC attack at bay.

Morgan County had one more good opportunity to tie things up before halftime when Brent Utley broke through the GMC defense. But a quick defender tracked back to take the ball away. Not to be undone, Utley stole the ball back and sent a shot that caught the GMC keeper off his line. But the shot bounced off the goal post, allowing the goalkeeper to get back into position to make a save on Thomas’ follow up.

"We must have taken 30 shots on goal in that game and scored one," Head Coach Tom Duff said. "They had four shots and scored two.

"We continue to get better. We have just got to keep working hard and score some goals."

The chances
continued to present themselves to the Morgan County attack and on several occasions just a toe poke could have given the Bulldogs the break they were looking for. Near the halfway mark in the second half, the Bulldogs brought Adan Lopez from his sweeper position up to stopper to try and give the Morgan County attack a boost.

Thomas and Utley continually put pressure on the GMC back line waiting for it to break. But as fatigue started to set in and after several more shots sailed wide for the Bulldog attack, the GMC attack started to gain steam.

The two teams attacked each other feverishly and it was GMC who found the back of the net first in the second half when a ball bounced around in the Bulldog six—yard box found its way into the back of the net to make the score 2—0. Utley found the back of the net with about 10 minutes left in the game but the Bulldog attack couldn’t find an equalizer as they continue to search for their first win of the season.

The Bulldogs have two key players returning to their lineup this week with the return of Daniel Fierman, who sat out the GMC game due to a red card, and Daniel Francis, who returns from a bad ankle sprain for his first action of the season. Morgan County was on the road Tuesday as they took on Social Circle and are on the road again on Thursday as they try to even their record against GMC.