Nathan Tucker
nrtucker@lc.edu
A cool, breezy, and very rainy late August Sunday played as the backdrop to the second games of the season for both the men’s and women’s Trailblazer soccer sides, who hosted the Iowa Lakes Lakers in a doubleheader at Tim Rooney Stadium. The cool air and breeze comes as a welcoming presence to the players, who’ve been conditioning in the heat of summer in the buildup to this season, but they probably could have lived without the downpours.
Women’s Game:
The women’s teams kicked things off in Godfrey, and it was apparent from the start that Iowa Lakes was posing more of a challenge to LC coach Tim Rooney’s team. The offense was allowed to somewhat run wild in their first match against Allen County, but opportunities were much fewer and further between in the first half in this encounter.
That previous paragraph being said, the Trailblazers still managed to break through the Iowa Lakes defense twice. Goals coming from Emma Lucas and Chelsea Riden, both made possible by slide rule passes from Boitumelo Rabale, were the difference at halftime.
Whether it be a direct instruction from coach Tim Rooney, or simply a matter of LC’s talent, the goals started flowing for the Trailblazers. Boitumelo Rabale, affectionately nicknamed “B” by the home team’s supporters, netted a hat trick on three consecutive goals in a span of seventeen minutes of game time, and effectively put the game out of reach for the visitors from Iowa.
A consolation goal from Iowa Lakes forward Isabelle Conte came almost immediately following the fifth Lewis And Clark goal, but ultimately had no effect on the result. A comprehensive 5-1 victory for the Trailblazers, that ultimately serves as another step in their quest towards an undefeated season.
Men’s Game:
The rain really began to fall right before the start of the men’s game, and the wet conditions played a big factor in what both teams could do on and off the ball. At the start of the game, the bit of rain was welcome, allowing the ball to skid across the wet grass, but as the match continued puddles and slippery patches really became evident.
It was an unfortunate start for the LC men, as two goals in less than three minutes put them in a hole early, and gave the visiting Lakers of Iowa Lakes Community College the confidence to attempt to dictate play. The Trailblazers first true scoring opportunity came on a penalty kick won by Reshaun Welkes, but striker Tony Bodul couldn’t convert the chance. However, Bodul would make up for that miss, netting a goal from open play about ten minutes after his penalty kick attempt was saved. A third Iowa Lakes goal sealed the scoring for the first half, and the rain continued to pour.
Lewis & Clark looked to make a game out of it early in the second half. Captain Reshaun Welkes made a dazzling, slaloming run through a crowd of Iowa Lakes defenders and slotted the ball in the top corner, a superb effort, one that is an early goal of the season contender for the Trailblazers.
Unfortunately for Lewis & Clark, Iowa Lakes answered with two more goals. Tony Bodul’s effort with about fifteen minutes remaining in the game gave LC their third goal and the Trailblazers pressed for more in the final stages of the affair, and found their fourth goal through a great cross by the aforementioned Bodul, and Zane Rowles headed home to give the home side a late chance. Ultimately there was not enough game for the LC comeback, and they fell for the second time this season, the final score 5-4, in favor of Iowa Lakes.
After some home games, both teams go on the road for their next action. The women are back in action at Laramie on August 31, and the men are back in action at Jefferson on August 28 as they look to get their first win of the campaign.
