Yoemen soccer gets win over Smithville in action-packed game
The Cameron Yoemen boy’s soccer team defeated the Smithville Tigers 2-1 in a very exciting and action-packed game.
The Yoemen started with some heavy pressure on offense and took an early shot on goal but unfortunately missed the target. Later in the first half, the Yoe goalie was confronted with some quick shots on goal and skillfully managed not to allow any goals. In the ninth minute, the Yoemen broke away early for a fast break goal by Iverson Braziel (3) off the assist of Joseph Munoz (7) for the first goal of the game.
“We try to set our players in position to be able to make plays with their feet. We love playing with speed and we sent them through, and we were able to get one on one with the goalie and send it right in,” said Coach Jaryd Garza.
In the eleventh minute, Cameron was called for a foul during a fantastic save by goalie, Adolfo Camacho (00), which resulted in a penalty kick opportunity for Smithville. Sadly, Camacho gave up a penalty kick, which tied the game at one. Cameron did not get rattled and stuck to their game plan.
The Yoemen defense played tight as they saved a Tigers corner kick in the 17th minute. The Yoemen responded to that save with another phenomenal fast break, which resulted in a goal by Randy Flores (10) in the 18th minute from a tough assist by Braziel, making the score 2-1.
“He (Iverson) does a great job working with Randy,” Garza said. “He sends it right over and Randy was able to get a foot on it. It was a slow roller, so we try to attack both sides of the pole, so he was back there and just boots it right in.”
Cameron kept their high intensity throughout the entire first half. The Yoemen had two chances to extend the lead with two free kicks but missed them both with two minutes left in the half. Cameron led at halftime 2-1.
The Yoemen started off the second half with the same intensity and aggression. Cameron had an early chance at a free kick and two corner kicks in the 35th minute, but were unable to connect on any of them. Cameron continued to keep Smithville s goalie on edge.
“That’s our high press, that’s what we do,” Garza said. “We want to play fast, we want to play physical. Our main goal is to keep the ball on the offensive side. That’s our best defense, so we’re just playing fast. That’s our strength and our defenders do a great job of being able to send the ball back up and keep themselves out of that position.”
The Yoemen also kept up their defensive intensity and strong play by defending a Smithville free kick at the 63rd minute. Along with putting pressure on Smithville’s goalie, Cameron made it their mission to make sure their own goalie didn’t have that same pressure, as the Yoemen kept up their stout defense throughout the game.
“That’s the way we play,” Garza said. “We try to keep it on the offensive side. We know that our best defense is going to be our best offense as well. We just keep trying to send that ball up, and we try to play on our half of the field most of the time, and not really let them have elaborate possessions. That’s one thing we came out to do this year, keep them from having elaborate possessions and send the ball down field.”
Camacho made a fantastic save with 15 minutes left in the game. The Yoemen continued to put pressure on the Tigers goalie and attempted many shots on goal. Camacho was a huge part of their success down the stretch in the win, with five total saves and other than the penalty kick had a clean and brilliant performance.
“Adolfo is great, he’s awesome,” Garza said. “He does a great job of staying in there. After the PK, he realizes he’s got to step up for his team. The defenders were in position too, they just didn’t get a foot on it and it turned out to be a foul, but it is what it is. He’s been in that position before and he was able to rebound. It takes 11, he knows that.”
Cameron held on to secure the exciting victory to win 2-1.