Aberdeen Central put an exclamation point on an key week of boys’ soccer action. The Golden Eagles recorded their third straight shutout on Saturday, knocking off previously undefeated Rapid City Stevens 1-0 at Brownell Activities Complex. The Raiders came into the contest averaging nearly four goals per contest.
“I thought we did a great job today of winning a lot of 50-50 balls in our defending half. And when they did get in the attacking third, we did a great job of team defending and preventing them from getting great chances,” said Central coach Lance Mohr. “They had some good chances, but we prevented the most dangerous chances. That’s what I was most proud of today was how we defended.”
After suffering their lone setback the previous week, the Golden Eagles had an intense week of practice which helped to produce three straight shutouts in a five-day span.
“If you look at the week, that’s as good as it gets. We didn’t allow a goal this week. Three straight shutouts,” Mohr said. “So, that’s perfect and we needed to clean that up from the prior games. I’m proud of their effort.”
Instead of being satisfied with their play early in the season, the Golden Eagles decided they wanted much more than that.
“We had a huge couple practices earlier this week. That really helped us become more of a team and less as individuals,” said junior Bryson Burgard. “We were just playing for ourselves and now we’re playing as a team, and we’re playing a lot better.”
Burgard scored the only goal of the contest with about 23 minutes remaining in the second half when he took advantage of an opportunity that developed in front of the Stevens goal.
“I’ve been waiting all season to get one,” Burgard said, “so finally got one.”
Central controlled possession most of the second half and it finally turned into the game’s only goal.
“We just kept the ball in their half for the first part of the second half,” Burgard said, “and then we kept forcing it, and eventually just got one.”
The Golden Eagles had more scoring chances throughout the game and eventually cashed in.
“We created so many of those close chances there, we just needed that one to go,” Mohr said, “and Bryson did a great job of finishing.”
While Stevens did not have many chances, the Raiders did have a golden opportunity in the first half that was erased on a stellar save by Central keeper Zander Kuhfeld, who reached up at the perfect moment to push the ball over the top of the goal.
“It was solid shot. Derek Holland cut down the angle,” Kuhfeld said. “I’m pretty proud of myself, because I think two years ago, that would have gone in. But I put the work in, gained a couple inches on my height, and I was able to get up and punch it over.”
Kuhfeld said he did not have time to think about the save.
“There was no predicting that, it was just pure reaction,” Kuhfeld said. “Took a couple of steps back and then just had to make sure I got it over.”
While Kuhfeld has been rock solid in net this season, the senior said it takes a team effort to keep opponents off the scoreboard.
“This group of guys is a really good group to go on with. They fight til the end for me,” Kuhfeld said. “Getting a shutout three games in a row isn’t just me, it’s the whole team. It takes one to score, it takes 11 to defend, and we’re doing that.”
Central improved to 4-1 on the season and capped off its most memorable week of the season so far.
“I was so proud because we kept going. We didn’t have a lull today. We kept going and we kept trying to do the right things. That carried us,” Mohr said. “I’m just super proud of where we started the week and where we ended the week.”
The Golden Eagles travel to Huron on Tuesday before hosting Brandon Valley at noon on Saturday.
Rapid City Stevens 0 0 – 0
Aberdeen Central 0 1 – 1
First Half: No scoring.
Second Half: 1, AC, Bryson Burgard, 57th minute.
Goalies: Rapid City Stevens, Creed Tennyson (4 saves); Aberdeen Central, Zander Kuhfeld (3 saves).
