It didn’t take Bow long.
In fact, it only took 2:15 for the Falcons to find the back of the net, as senior Lyndsey LaPerle tapped the ball in off of a corner. Though Bow (9-1) would add a second goal late in the second half, this proved to be the difference in the Falcons’ 2-0 victory over John Stark (5-4) in front of a homecoming crowd on Friday afternoon.
“It’s always good to get the first goal. It kinda takes the pressure off a little bit and gets the momentum growing,” head coach Jay Vogt said.
Fans of both teams lined up their lawn chairs neatly across the sideline, spanning one 18-yard box to the other. Others stood behind, captivated by the early back and forth. Even though Bow took the early lead, John Stark had several chances to capitalize in the first 40 minutes; the Generals just couldn’t quite finish.
Then, the Falcons – after playing a good chunk of the first half in their defensive end – regained their footing in the second half, constantly pressuring John Stark.
“We adjusted our formation a little bit, tried to get a little bit more control of the midfield,” Vogt said. “I thought we did a great job possessing and moving the ball in the midfield.”
That ball movement ultimately led to Ashley Wallen scoring the second goal for Bow in the 63rd minute, all but putting the game out of reach.
“The second half got a little bit more physical, and we were just getting knocked off the ball a little bit more,” Generals’ head coach Chris Pike said. “We still had the energy, but we might not have been able to keep up with the physicality as the game progressed.”
John Stark tried to combat Bow’s strength and speed by keeping its players fresh. Several times throughout the game, Pike subbed in five or six players at a time, something he hadn’t done earlier in the season. But on Friday he knew that he might have to do things a little bit differently to put his team in the best position to win.
The Generals’ energy was indisputable. From the kick off, the sideline was raucous, resembling what you’d expect from a playoff game, not one in late September.
Even still, Pike underscored why this game was so important to his team in spite of the loss, understanding that Bow often sets the standard in Division II.
“In a way, this was the best game that they could’ve ever had because this shows them what they’re truly capable of,” he said. “If we go into every game like this and finish every game like this, we’re really gonna be racking some wins up. They gotta keep this momentum going.”
On the other side, the Falcons have seemingly kept their momentum going all season. Aside from a 3-2 loss to Pembroke in mid-September, Bow has kept its foot on the gas; Friday was its fourth straight win since that loss and its seventh shutout through the first 10 games overall.
Even with the persistent success, Vogt said his team still has areas to improve, notably playing consistently for an entire 80 minutes. Friday’s game was a good example: After scoring an early goal, Bow allowed John Stark several offensive opportunities before taking control of the game.
As for his message to his team as they stare down the homestretch of their regular season? Vogt’s keeping it simple.
“Keep working hard. Keep getting better.”