GARDINER— After watching Gardiner High School’s stellar performance, it would take a great deal of convincing that the Tigers have had trouble putting the ball in net the last six games.
Anyway, that’s what Gardiner boys’ soccer coach Nick Wallace said.
Well, the Tigers made up for lack offense in just one game. They scored five goals in the first half and rolled to a 5-0 victory over Spruce Mountain on Tuesday.
“I thought the first half we possessed the game,” Wallace said. “I have been working with the kids all along.
“It’s hard when you get up in the first half to keep the momentum going. We have had trouble scoring goals. To get five on the board is a confidence builder for us.”
The Tigers were fast and furious despite the stubborn Phoenix, who were scrappy but couldn’t find the open net.
Ben Babcock started Gardiner’s (3-3) procession to the Spruce Mountain net and scored an unassisted goal 4 minutes, 24 seconds in to the first half.
Seven minutes later, Casey Bourque got one by goalie Andrew Shaw, again using a Cam Babcock feed.
Despite several impressive attempts, things continued to go down hill for the Phoenix.
Garrett Lunt used Logan Porter’s feed and scored less than two minutes after Bourque punched in his goal.
Ben Babcock got into the act again and scored his second goal on a Lunt assist, putting the Tigers up 4-0 with 15:07 left in the first half.
The Tigers topped off their comfortable lead when Bourque scored his second goal without any assistance.
In the second half, the reserves came in and the Tigers just waited in the warm air for the clock to run out.
Shaw, the Spruce Mountain goalie, was under siege most of the game, making 12 saves on 22 shots on net.
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