mhsalum 31 Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 Dawgs earn shutout against rival Bengals Wednesday, April 18, 2007 By ADAM REGAN - Bulletin Sports Writer Speed doesn’t always kill. At least not if the Martinsville Bulldogs have anything to say about it. The Bulldogs (6-1, 2-0 Piedmont) proved the saying isn’t always on point as their emphasis on possession trumped Bassett’s speed and finesse game in a 2-0 shutout Tuesday at Ed Bassett Stadium. Pete Scouras found the remedy to stopping Bassett’s potent offensive tandem of Daniel Maldonado and Fernando Gonzalez. At the same time, his team took advantage of their opportunities on their offensive attacks. The Martinsville coach had defender Scott Wenkstern alternate between marking Maldonado and Gonzalez. There were few times when the tandem saw daylight to unload on sophomore goalkeeper Will Reynolds. “He likes to switch (Maldonado and Gonzalez) between forward and midfield,†Scouras said of Bassett head coach Joe Favero. “Scott did a good job on them as did Justin (Wooldridge).†Martinsville’s front line and midfield overpowered Bassett’s smaller, quicker players. The physical game was highlighted by a host of Bengal players becoming acquainted with the grass. “We may have been too aggressive at times,†said Wooldridge, whose team was issued six yellow cards. “We did what we had to do to control the ball.†Scouras believed the officials “did what they had to do to control the game.†“It’s just Martinsville/Bassett,†he said, giving a reason for the cards. The Bulldogs also held up their end of the bargain on the offensive side. Midfielder Will Mahoney’s rebound of Ian Loganadan’s shot from 8 yards out in the 35th minute proved to be the game-winner. Bassett goalkeeper Tremayne Via, who saved seven shots, dove for Loganadan’s chip that sailed wide to the right of the goal, but was unable to get a hand on Mahoney’s tap from the ground. Scouras was still uneasy, however, as the first half wound down  and rightfully so, as a Bassett corner hit the crossbar right before halftime. “You can never feel comfortable with their scorers out on the field,†Scouras said. “We needed another goal so we could keep with our game plan.†Sophomore Cody Draper answered his coach’s demand in the 58th minute. Via was unable to secure the sophomore’s first shot, and the rebound found its way into the back of the net. The Bengals put five shots on goal, which were all gobbled up by Reynolds. “We weren’t able to put any shots on frame tonight,†Bassett head coach Joe Favero said. “That’s how soccer works. They put some shots on frame and their goalie made some good saves.†Bassett (4-5, 2-1) will get a second crack at their rivals on May 4 at Dan Greene Stadium. “We’re focused on Magna Vista right now,†Favero said of his Friday match-up. “But hopefully we’ll be in good shape when we play (Martinsville next).†Notes: Senior captain Josh Torrez was issued a soft red card after receiving his second yellow card. The card designation as “soft,†however, will allow him to play Thursday at home against Tunstall. ...Midfielder Garrett Vaughan continues to play with a bruised toe. Martinsville 2 Bassett 0 First Half M  Mahoney goal (34:06) Second Half M  Draper goal (57:53) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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