Over the years Douglas vs. Salpointe has become a regular match up at the Brandon Bean soccer tournament.
 Douglas' Javier Buelna plays the ball off his head in the Bulldogs home opener with Sahuaro Nov. 20. Douglas won the game 1-0 on Buelna's header in the 63rd minute. Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch |
The Bulldogs began the tournament beating the Buena Colts 2-0 Nov. 19.
Bulldog soccer coach Ken Cormier said his teams’ intensity and superb defense completely dominated the Buena Colts throughout the entire game as Douglas out shot Buena 15-0.
Fifty-two minutes into the match Javier Buelna scored Douglas’ first goal of the season on an assist from Luis Teran.
Seven minutes later Francisco Orduna threw one of his patented long throw-ins to Kirt Cormier who headed the ball into the upper corner of the goal giving the Dogs a 2-0 lead.
Coach Cormier said he was especially pleased with the defensive unit of Luis Teran, Chris Cruz, Johnny Monarrez, Buelna and Orduna.
"Coach Alphonso Romero did a great job of preparing our defense, both physically and mentally for our first major test of the season," the coach said.
The next night Douglas hosted Sahuaro in the Bulldogs home opener. The match was scoreless for most of the contest.
In the 63rd minute Buelna headed the ball into the net off Orduna’s throw in giving the Dogs a 1-0 lead.
The Bulldogs had 10 shots on goal.
Coach Cormier stated that he has been very impressed with the play of many of his young reserves, singling out freshmen Alexis Medina, Abraham Carbajal and Jacob Ortega and sophomores Hugo Grijalva and Fernando Chacon.
On Friday the Bulldogs were in Tucson facing a Catalina Foothills team that came away with a 1-0 win handing Douglas its first loss of the season.
Coach Cormier said his team played a very strong first half with neither team scoring.
At the 57th minute mark of the second half, a penalty on sweeper Buelna led to the only goal of the game.
The coach added the hot weather which had temperatures in the mid 80's, took its toll on the Bulldogs in the second half with seven of Fothills10 shots coming in that half.
Douglas had six shots on goal, with goalies Juan Rivera having two saves and Marc Gonzalez three.
Coach Cormier said he was very impressed with the team's defensive effort, and the overall play of the team.
"Catalina Foothills is one of the state's premier teams, and we gave them quite a battle,” he said. “We coaches couldn't have been more pleased with the team's effort."
The Foothills win gave them the top seed in the pool and advanced the Falcons into the single elimination tournament.
The Bulldogs picked up the final seed, which was an at large seed that pitted them up against No. 1 seed Salpointe first thing Saturday morning.
After getting home at 7:30 Friday night, the Bulldogs were on the road by 5:30 a.m. Saturday for an 8:30 a.m. showdown with the Lancers.
The defending Division II state champion Lancers, , who are loaded again this year said Coach Cormier, proved to be to strong for the road weary Bulldogs defeating them 2-0.
At the 18th minute mark of the first half, the Lancers scored making it 1-0, for the only goal of the first half.
Salpointe scored again at the 54th minute mark of the second half, making it 2-0.
The Lancers out shot the Bulldogs 9-4, with first half goalie Juan Rivera having three saves and Marc Gonzalez two saves in the second half.
Senior captain, Luis Teran injured his shoulder during the first half and is questionable for Thursday's key match up with Nogales.
Coach Cormier said he was pleased he was with his team's play throughout the tournament, and the attitude of this year's team, but is very concerned with having to find a replacement for Teran.
"Luis is one of our key players, and probably not having him against our strongest sectional opponent, Nogales High School this Thursday, is a major concern for us," he said.
Cormier said Teran visited his doctor and severely sprained his shoulder. He was scheduled to see an orthopedic doctor Monday.
The Bulldogs have just one game this week. On Thursday they are at Nogales.
Comments