Bowling Green boys soccer improved to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the Northern Lakes League Cardinal Division with a 2-1 victory over Clay (5-6, 1-5) at Bobcat Stadium Tuesday.
The Bobcats had defeated the Eagles, 3-0, at Clay Memorial Stadium in the season opener on August 22, but the Eagles made the Bobcats earn the win Tuesday.
“Clay made adjustments from the first game and played with a lot of energy,” BG coach Josh Fox said.
BG took the the lead on a penalty kick midway through the first half. Tomas Meek drew a foul inside the box and Eli Metzger converted on the penalty shot.
Clay equalized midway through the second half on a goal by Adam Hansen off a long throw in into the box, but Metzger’s second goal off a set piece proved to be the game-winner.
BG’s Aden Kendrick was tackled just outside Clay’s 18-yard box, earning a free kick with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game. Metzger’s shot deflected off of Clay’s wall into the back of the net.
BG goalkeeper Max Haynes made five saves and the Bobcats’ defense was able to hold on for the final 10 minutes to earn the win.
BG’s only loss came in league play, 3-2, to Springfield on September 12. The Blue Devils are 6-1-4 and 5-0-1 in the Cardinal Division.
In their quest for a league championship, the Bobcats travel to Sylvania Southview (4-5-2, 2-4-1) on Saturday for a 7 p.m. contest and next Wednesday, BG travels to Napoleon (7-2-2, 3-2-1) for a 7 p.m. game.
