Medomak Valley boys’ soccer team picked up their second win of the season on Monday, beating Nokomis 4-0. The Panthers held a 21-6 advantage in shots and dominated every facet of the game.
“We have found a system that is working well for us. Defense has emerged as a strength lately,” coach Brian Campbell said. “Isaac Durkee has taken control of the Medomak backfield and helped lead the young defensemen. Tonight we found the offensive spark that we have been waiting for. Brandon Soper played his best game of the season and was rewarded with a goal in each half.”
The Panthers were slow to get their offense flowing, taking a 1-0 lead at the half. Brandon Soper ran onto a Boone Olsen through pass and posted it to the corner to give Medomak the lead with 23:31 to go in the half.
The Panthers’ offensive pressure paid off multi-fold in the second half, with three goals. The four goals doubled the number of goals Medomak has scored this season. Boone Olsen put in a Soper rebound with 26:33 to play for his first goal of the season. Chris Morrill set up Soper’s blast that was blocked by a defender. Boone stepped up and buried the ball in the back of the Warriors’ net.
Soper fired in his second goal of the night with 16:56 to play when he collected a cross from Kerry Madden on the right side. Kazu Tibbetts started the scoring run when he stole a ball deep in Panther territory, dribbled up to the 50 and passed to Soper. Soper pushed the ball down the field to Madden on the wing.
Deering Genthner used his speed to score his first goal of the season and put Medomak up 4-0. Isaac Durkee set up the score with a 50-yard boot down the field that soared over Nokomis’ defensive line. Genthner sped onto the ball and blasted a shot to the back of the Warrior net.
Robbie Griffin made six stops in net for the Panthers to earn his third shutout in the past four games. Thomas Batchelder made 10 stops and Nathan Buck two in net for Nokomis.
Robbie Griffin made nine stops for the Panthers, and Sam Neilson three saves for the Bears.
“We shut them down in the second half,” coach Brian Campbell said. “They controlled the ball and moved the ball well in the midfield. Our defense shut that down in the second half.”
Robbie Griffin made three saves for the Panthers and McKenzie Michael two saves for the Raiders. Winslow held a 7-4 advantage in shots.