Dogs Struggle With WWVA, Rain

DAYTON - The Day- ton soccer team took the field against Walla Walla Valley Academy Monday but couldn't gain their footing, falling 4-1 to the Knights.

The loss to the Knights follows two losses against Trout Lake last weekend.

In the first half of Mon- day's game, the cold, wet field slowed down the usual quick action between the teams.

The Knights kept the pres- sure on the Bulldogs from early on, finally breaking through and scoring halfway through the first half.

The Bulldogs fought back, but couldn't match the Knights' speed, relying on defensive maneuvers and keeper Willie Weppler's saves to keep the score close. After several blocked corner kicks and what seemed like a growing momentum for the Bulldogs, the Knights broke through again and scored a second goal with 4:07 left in the half, bringing the score to 2-0, Knights.

The Bulldogs increased their possession before the end of the half, but despite several shots on the Knights' goal, couldn't score.

The defensive line was able to hold the Knights and in combination with the aggressive midfield and forward action, the Bulldogs kept the Knights from scor- ing again. The half ended, 2-0, Knights.

The Bulldogs came back from halftime with renewed energy despite the increas- ingly cold, biting air. A big team effort put the ball in scoring position for Pedro Barbosa de Deus, who was able to put the ball in the net and a point on the board for the Bulldogs.

Head coach DJ Frame said a lot of work went into getting the ball up to Barbosa de Deus, calling the goal "a big team assist."

"It was just nice to see that it wasn't a lucky goal or a frustration long shot," Frame said.

The Bulldogs picked up possession and kept pressure on the Knights, taking shots at every opportunity but they were unable to connect the ball with the net again.

"They started moving the ball and communicating," Frame said. "It just took u s too long to get into the rhythm."

As the second half progressed, the Knights fought back again, scoring two more goals before the end of the game.

The Bulldogs fought to get past the cold, slippery field, but the weather won out for at least one goal.

"For sure one of our goals was just a complete slip by our keeper," Frame said. "He just spun outhellip; But both teams were playing on the same field so we can't really complain."

Weppler, who had been out because of a thumb injury, seems to have recovered enough to play, Frame said, although his thumb is sore.

"(Weppler) had a lot of saves toward the end of the second half," Frame said.

The Bulldogs' next game will be Thursday night against Valley Christian and senior night will be Friday before the game against Ukiah.

"We want to close out with two good wins," Frame said.