Trumansburg Boys Varsity Soccer Weekly Recap

Throughout the years, the Trumansburg-Lansing soccer rivalry has been lopsided in favor of the Bobcats. Last year, Trumansburg was able to capture a victory under the lights at Tarbell Field, but ended up losing the season series between the two teams. 

With a hope to make it two straight years with success against Lansing, Trumansburg took to the pitch on Saturday under the lights.  

With the crowd and nerves still settling in, the Raiders looked shaky at the start of the game, giving up a few chances along the way. After regaining confidence and getting the crowd behind them, the boys in white began the attack and won a free kick about 30 yards out. There to take it was junior captain Logan Bonn, who sent an awkward bouncing ball towards the bottom left corner. After a few bounces, the ball richoched off the Lansing keepers hands and into the back of the net. Now a goal up, Trumansburg began to try and posses the ball, looking to keep it out of their own half. After a lofting corner kick found it's way to a Lansing midfielder, the ball found its way past senior Jake Shelley and squeaked through the arms of sophomore goalkeeper Richard Prosser. At half, both teams found themselves at a deadlock. In the halftime huddle, Coach Jason Hodge reminded the team that in order to win the game, the team would have to rally behind each other and play with a selfless attitude. With this idea of rallying together , Trumansburg would come out strong in the second half, as they were given a penalty kick after senior Taidgh Dennis George was fouled inside the Lansing 18 yard box. Stepping up to take yet another monumental kick Bonn, who cooler than the other side of your pillow, buried home a smashing kick in the top right corner to give the Raiders a 2-1 lead. After going a goal up, the Trumansburg defense was put on the hot seat. Goalie Richard Prosser was on point as he denied every Bobcat shot that went anywhere near the net. Barrage after barrage of Lansing attackers came with the lone objective to score but in the end, the Raiders defense held firm and were able to secure a massive victory. Final score: Trumansburg 2, Lansing 1. 

With the teams morale still at a season high, the Raiders journeyed to Odessa to take on the Indians under the lights. The team that took the field consisted of the same players from Saturday nights win, but lacked energy and focus early on as Odessa was able to create a few scoring opportunities early on. Trumansburg would settle in after a shaky start thanks to a created penalty by Conor Baird, who weaved inside the defense, only being stopped by a foul that resulted in a penalty. Logan Bonn stepped up and sent a rocket past the ill-prepared keeper. Shortly before the end of the first half a ball found its way to senior Dominic Mikula who only had to tap the ball into the empty net to double the Raider lead. The second half was quiet, with Trumansburg creating opportunities but not converting. The only other notable action from the game would be a Conor Baird goal early in the second half. Final score: Trumansburg 3, Odessa 0.

In the teams third straight night game, the Blue Raiders took on Newark Valley at home on Wednesday night. Being the homecoming game, as well as a divisional game saw this contest having mass importance to Trumansburg. The beginning of the game was the worst possible for a Trumansburg fan, as it saw Newark Valley score not one, but two goals in under three minutes. Going back to the Lansing game, the team rallied behind each other and were able to produce positive play. That is exactly what happened after falling into a two goal deficit, as Trumansburg roared right back with Conor Baird shredding the helpless Valley back line and slotting a shot in the back of the net to cut the lead. Right before the conclusion of the first half, Baird again was seen slicing his way through defenders, this time being dragged down in the box, giving Trumansburg a penalty. Guess who stepped up and took this shot. You're right, it was Logan Bonn who slammed the ball into the bottom left corner, drawing Trumansburg even with the Cardinals. The second half offered possession from both teams until the 15 minute mark in the clock. Trumansburg began to dominate possession, not quite being able to thread together good passes to create scoring chances. With the clock ticking it's final minutes, Conor Baird played hero as he scored a five star finish to give the Raiders the victory. Baird brought the ball to his right foot from just outside the 18 yard box, and let loose a cannonball into the top right, a ball no keeper could dream of saving. Final score: Trumansburg 3, Newark Valley 2. 

Next up for Trumansburg will be Elmira Notre Dame in Saturday at 1 in Elmira.