Men’s Soccer Begins Season with 2-1 Weekend

ASU Defeats Dallas Baptist for Second Straight Victory

Steven Petrov
The Paw Print

September 14, 2013 the ASU Men’s soccer “grizzlies” recorded their first overtime win in the school’s history. In an incredibly intense and close game, the “grizzlies” found the strength and perseverance to finish the game strong and to stand victorious after 94 minutes of playing time, winning with 2:1.
The game started a little slow for the “grizzlies” in the first half, but even though they were outshot by the “Patriots” from DBU with 6 to 2, sophomore J.J. Dennis scored the first goal in the game giving ASU the lead in the 42min and 23rd second. Senior Jake Hughes played a huge role in creating the goal opportunity for the ASU’s forward. Hughes dribbled the ball out of the back from the right side of ASU’s attack, cut in to the middle of the field, and with a precise pass found J.J. who was making his run into space. Placing the ball into the bottom left corner of the “Patriots” goal, J.J. scored his first goal for the season. The green kept the lead and went into half time having the upper hand over their opponents. Unfortunately for the team, led by coach Busen, the “patriots” came out strong and hungry for goals after the break. It took them 8 minutes and 23 seconds to score and tie the game up. After a questionable foul given to the “Patriots” in the middle of the field, they got a chance to serve the ball into ASU’s 18-yard box. Brian Robertson played a long ball to David Balyeat, who headed it into the net behind Jared Wilson. In the 70th minute the DBU’s goal scorer, David Balyaeat, received his second yellow card and respectively red, for a foul committed against the ASU’s goalkeeper Jared Wilson. With only 10 players on the field, the “Patriots” struggled throughout the remaining minutes of the game. The “grizzlies,” from Alamosa, had couple of good chances to score in the regular time and prevent the game from going to overtime. However the score remained 1:1 after the end of the regular 90 minutes. Going into overtime did not worry coach Busen because of the large number of players he was able to use, keeping everyone as fresh as possible. After a phenomenal run by the senior defender and captain Matthew Stefanko, down the left wing he managed to cross the ball into the penalty box where the sophomore Aaron Fox was ready to score his second goal of the season. With a powerful shot placing the ball in the bottom left part of the goal behind DBU’s goalkeeper. Aaron gave the “grizzlies” the win they fought for throughout the whole game and rightfully deserved.
Coach Busen was really excited by the performance his team put forth and the great final result, giving the team their first overtime win in the program’s history. He gathered the whole team around and celebrated everyone for the quality of play, determination, and perseverance that the “Grizzlies” showed for those 94 minutes. Having a perfect record, 2-0-0 so far, ASU Men’s soccer team is ready to face Fort Hayes State University on Sunday September 15th and finish the week with another win.