Blazers shut down Gaithersburg

OCT. 12, BLAZER STADIUM—

The JV boys' soccer team continued to dominate its opponents with a 3-0 win against Gaithersburg High School. The Blazers shut out their opponent for the seventh time this year and now have out-scored their opponents 36-0 over the season. Their record is now 7-0.

The Blazers beat the previously undefeated Gaithersburg team, which had also shut out every opponent previous to tonight's game. Blair played great defense through the entire game, giving Gaithersburg limited scoring chances, and a steady offense helped to secure the win.

Even without star defenseman Alec McLean, who was promoted to Varsity, the team was able to shut down Gaithersburg's potent offense. The defense was anchored by Ethan Kuhnhenn, who, in addition to shutting down the Gaithersburg attack, led several offensive charges towards the end of the game.

Gaithersburg was outplayed the entire game by a much more physical Blair team and struggled to keep pace. During the first half, there were goals by Yendoukoa Lamboi and Alex Asare-Wassow in the sixteenth and twenty-eighth minute respectively. Although these goals were not spectacular, they demoralized a Gaithersburg team who anticipated a win tonight.

By the start of the second half it was clear that Blair had taken control of the tempo of the game. The team began to wear down the Gaithersburg defense and had several scoring chances but was only able to convert on a goal by Matias Salina in the fifty-seventh minute.

Several times throughout the game, shots went over the goal. The team's shooting inaccurateness seemed to resurface from earlier matches in the season. They wasted several opportunities to take a strong lead by missing open shots, and they let Gaithersburg have a chance for a comeback until midway through the second half.

Overall though, this game was an example of a balanced effort by both the defense and the offense. The team passed effectively and the defense was able to quickly advance the ball towards the opposing goal. The team showed a great effort tonight, beating their most challenging opponent of the season.

JV soccer's next game will be away against Sherwood High School on Oct. 16 at 12:00 noon.