Daily Globe
NEW ULM - Something had to give Tuesday night.
The Worthington Trojans boys soccer team rode a five-game winning streak into Tuesday’s match with New Ulm. And New Ulm rode a six-game winning streak entering the showdown.
Worthington prevailed, 2-1, advancing to 6-1-1 on the season and handing the Eagles their first loss of the season.
It was a game of two halves. Worthington had only three shots on goal in the first half compared to New Ulm’s 17, and the Eagles took a 1-0 lead into the half. But in the second half, Worthington put five shots on goal to New Ulm’s three and outscored the hosts 2-0 to take the victory.
WHS head coach Smitty Ektnitphong said his team was a little careless with the ball in the first half. “But in the second half it was night and day.”
Added Ektnitphong: “I’m really with the team the way we fought and finished strong in the second half. At times we kind of bent down, but we didn’t break down.”
Worthington’s first second half goal was scored by Onel Chavez on an assist by Victor Meza on an indirect free kick at the 18-yard line. Meza lightly tapped it forward to Chavez.
The game-winner occurred five minutes before the end of the match. Freshman Ivan Rodriguez scored it, on an assist by Meza. Meza collected a loose ball, drove it up to midfield and delivered the ball between two defenders. Rodriguez followed the ball to the box as the goalie wsa approaching it, and kicked it in.
