Burlington Boys Soccer Handles Watertown

The Burlington boys soccer team defeated the Watertown Red Raiders 3-0 on Monday afternoon with a dominant second half performance. After a back and forth first half which didn’t produce a goal, the Burlington squad took over in the second half with three unanswered goals to seal the victory.   

“We did a much better job of controlling the ball when we got it in the second half,” said Burlington coach Matt Jackling. “In the first half we were trying to force some things that weren’t there, but in the second we allowed things to develop more over time and when that happens we’re a pretty decent team.”  

The game’s first goal was scored after a controversial foul gave Burlington a free kick from just outside the box. Burlington’s captain and center midfielder Derek Skinner lobbed a pass in front of the goal that was headed home by halfback Gideon Kasirye to give Burlington the early lead.

The referee’s decision and the ensuing goal seemed to deflate the Watertown squad that had been playing with a burst of energy in the opening moments of the second half. 

“Officals make a call and the guys focus on that instead of playing 30 more minutes of a good soccer game,” said Watertown Coach Frank Cacia.  

A few minutes after the goal Watertown had it’s best chance of the match. After some pinpoint passing by midfielder Vardan Yeghiyan, Watertown forward Leslie Tamighang had the ball alone in front of the Burlington goal but his ensuing shot bounced off the crossbar. 

Burlington’s Derek Skinner subsequently started to assert himself with strong forays into the Watertown defense. He dribbled through the entire Watertown defense on numerous occasions and his relentless pressure resulted in Burlington’s second goal of the match following a scrum in front in which Burlington’s Muzembe tapped the ball into the back of the net. 

“When Derek’s moving up and down the field and we can give him the ball and he’s distributing, he’s definitely the kind of cog that makes our machine go,” said Jackling. 

With five minutes remaining in the match, Muzembe stepped around the Watertown defense with apparent ease and pushed the ball into the far corner for his second goal of the match. The tally staked Burlington to a 3-0 lead and put the match out of reach. 

“It boils down to finishing your opportunities and staying focused when you face adversity,” said Cacia. “I told the guys after the game, you’re going to face adversity, you have to find a way to dig yourself out.”