It was the last time the seniors of the Bradwell soccer teams would play at Olvey Field, and it was a memorable sweeping of Groves for both squads. The Lady Tigers finished with a convincing 8-1 win and Bradwell pulled out the nightcap, 8-5.
The Lady Tigers got a step closer to the AAAAA playoffs by beating Groves.
Bradwell scored quickly to build a 2-0 lead 10 minutes into the first half. Bree Garcia drilled a corner kick that Sarah Wells put in the goal for a 3-0 lead.
The Lady Tigers were fluid on offense, getting several shots on goal and corner kicks before the end of the half.
Bradwell continued to move the ball, building a 7-0 lead in the second half before Groves was able to score its only goal of the contest.
"The seniors performed really well tonight. I am going to miss the nine
seniors that we have graduating, but I know that they all have bright futures ahead of them," Bradwell Lady Tiger Lindsay Guyett said.
Guyett credits the seniors for leading the team through a three-game losing streak and being able to come back and start winning again.
The Lady Tiger seniors include Megan Alton, Kayla DeJesus, Danielle Durham, Rebecca Lee, Salamasina Matavao, Ashley Mercer, Miranda Pizzino, Rebekah Smith and Christina Tenorio.
With losses to Savannah Arts, Camden and Islands, the Lady Tigers are 8-3-1 overall and 6-3 in Region 3-AAAAA.
"Currently, we are tied for fourth place, but I think we are going to need some help to get us in the playoffs later on this month. The Savannah schools have not finished their seasons yet because of rainouts, so we really have to wait and see what happens with them before we know about our postseason future," Guyett said.
In the boys’ game, coach Tommy Oglesby started all of his seniors, and they rewarded him with an 8-5 win.
"I adjusted my starting lineup to start all of the seniors in honor of their last time playing together. Juan Ortiz and Justin Ganger played striker. David Kim, David Miller, Tepeu Potter and Brian Jackson played midfield. Shane Smith, Timmy Pyon, sophomore Mattew Ation and junior Alberto Llavona played defense. Terry Murphy played in the goal," Oglesby said.
The lineup adjustment allowed regular goalkeeper Jackson to score his first goal of the season. Ortiz and Ganger also scored. Potter was credited with an assist. Ethan Ewing was the only underclassman to score.
Miller, who is the captain and has been the vocal leader of the Tigers, finished his final game at Bradwell Institute with a hat trick by scoring three goals.
Bradwell set the pace of the game early and controlled the ball offensively most of the first half. Groves was able to score and move the ball, but Bradwell’s offense simply was too strong.
"The seniors came out and played extremely well early on in the game. The ball movement looked amazing. It’s hard to highlight certain individuals in this game. There were so many memorable moments that will stay with these guys for their entire life," Oglesby said.
"I am very excited for the guys who will be graduating in May. My hope is that they will succeed in whatever they choose to do, and I hope the lessons of soccer, such as hard work, teamwork, communication, problem solving and perseverance, stay with them their entire life."
The Tigers finished the season at 4-8-1 overall and 4-6-0 in Region 3-AAAAA.
"Where does Bradwell soccer go from here? We will continue to work on the small things — our touches, movement off the ball and on the ball, communicating on the field and finishing goals. This season has been trying in many ways, but we never gave up and we continued to strive to get better. I look forward to the future of Bradwell soccer," Oglesby said.