By Mike Blake
A celebration of seniors and three tough opponents made for an eventful week for the Kern Valley boys soccer team, as the Broncs defeated Mojave on Senior Night, but fell to Rosamond and Cal City to leave the team at 4-9 overall and 4-8 in High Desert League competition
On Monday, January 29, a 3-0 scoreboard finish at Rosamond (10-14-2, 9-5-1 in HDL play) was not indicative of the flow of the game. Kern Valley boys soccer coach Wil Cerda saw game effort and execution as superior indicators of the game. “Rosamond won 3-0, and contrary to the scoreline, I was pleased by the way the team played,” Coach Cerda said. “With only a few substitutes and six of our regular starters out due to injuries or grade restrictions, the rest of the boys have stepped up. In the past three games, Tristan Beckham has truly taken on a great responsibility. His skill has forced the other teams to double-team him; his speed has generated opportunities; and his strength has allowed him to create space for the rest of the team. Likewise, Jack Montgomery and Jesse Wagner, have both caused havoc for the opposing teams. They fight for every ball and have been working to help the back line defend and win loose balls. In the Game versus Rosamond, the entire team defended and attacked as a unit. While our team has been down over half of the regular starters, the Rosamond game showed great improvement. I only wish this improvement would have come a week prior to the break as I had hoped.”
KV managed four shots on goal for the game, and Rosamond jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half and added a second-half goal to win by three.
Two nights later, the final score matched the effort. On January 31, the KV soccer team hosted Mojave (3-12, 3-10) for Senior Night. In this match, Kern Valley dominated play, controlled the ball and earned a 4-1 victory. Beckham led the Broncs’ assault with three goals, Brian Webster scored a goal and the Broncs got two assists from Jesse Wagner and one each from Jack Montgomery and Beckham.
Cerda said the seniors stepped up, but the entire team played with intensity as a unit. “This was a well-deserved team win,” Coach Cerda said.
On Senior Night, Cerda made it a point to commend his upper classmen.
“Logan Lambert — As a center half, his ability to read the game has allowed him to prevent attacks from the other team to have much success. his role in defense has been critical in allowing the wingers to remain in attacking positions,” Cerda said.
“Jack “Capt. Jack” Montgomery (Captain) — As one of the captains of the team, he has led the team by example. He is also my MVP. His tireless efforts to recover the ball and orchestrate an attack are qualities rarely found in players. It has been a true pleasure watching him play,” Cerda said.
“Brian Webster – His growth from the first day to now has been outstanding. His determination to get better has allowed him to create opportunities for goals,” Cerda said.
“Jesse Wagner (Captain) — He has stepped up as a player and as a leader of the team. His work rate has been exemplary. His movement on and off the ball has made him one of the most dangerous players on the team. He finds himself always open and he generates opportunities for the team to score,” Cerda said.
“Carson Strange — He has been the clutch utility player for the team and is always dependable playing in any position. When players need a rest, he steps in like a natural,” Cerda said.
“Victor Fregoso (Captain) – Consistently, he is the player with the most tackles, and he disrupts any attack on our team. As the other center half, he has led his defense in an exemplary way. He keeps them organized and has been like a wall forcing the other team to attack from any side he is not on. He is the reason for the saying ‘defense wins game, offence sells tickets.’ His leadership in the back line is the reason for any success we have had as a team,” Cerda said.
With little time to rest, the team traveled to Cal City February 1 to take on the Ravens (11-7-1, 9-4-1). The tired Broncs were outhustled by the energized and rested Ravens and fell 5-0. Coach Cerda said his fatigued team gave it their all. “Unfortunately, we could only utilize one sub,” Cerda said. They capitalize by keeping their players fresh and subbing a lot, wearing our players out. In the end we played hard, but just ran out of gas.”
The Broncs hosted first-place Bishop (8-0-1, 8-0-1) on Tuesday, February 6. Results and details were unavailable at press time. Kern Valley next visitsFrazier Mountain (9-5, 9-3), Thursday, February 8 at 3 p.m.
