Defense highlights Hornets’ effort in jamboree

Bryant keeper Slade Lewis. (Photo by Rick Nation)

Before their preseason jamboree on Friday night, Bryant Hornets head soccer coach Brett Haugh said that he had been impressed with his team’s defense during preparations for the 2014 season. And, on Friday, in two halves of action against the Cabot Panthers and another half against Little Rock Catholic, the Hornets showed why by not allowing a single goal and very few attempts.

Bryce Denker picked up where he left off last season in which he set a single-season state record for goals by coming through with both Bryant goals of the evening. One came at the 17:00 mark of the opening half, the other with just :38 left in the same half against Cabot.

The Hornets open officially against Rogers on Friday, March 7, at a tournament in Fort Smith.

“I was very proud of the boys in their first outing of the season,” Haugh said. “This was a very good chance for us to see where we stand as a team. It is always hard to see how good you really are just scrimmaging against each other. This was a good test for us and I am very pleased with the outcome and the direction that we are going.

“Defensively, the boys played very well not allowing many opportunities for the opponents to score,” he added. “The guys played very well as a team, communicating very well throughout the first half against Cabot. They played very aggressively and with high intensity.”

Houston Chavis (Photo by Rick Nation)

After playing Cabot, they took a half off while Catholic and Cabot tangled. They then came back to finish off the event with a half against the Rockets.

“We got off to a slow start due to having that little break but the boys soon picked up the pace,” Haugh related. “We had several opportunities but just couldn’t seem to get anything to hit the back of the net against Catholic.”