It was business as usual for the Aberdeen Central boys’ soccer team on Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Eagles received a pair of first-half goals from Linus Johnson, and blanked their fifth straight opponent in a 2-0 win over Brandon Valley in Eastern South Dakota Conference action at Brownell Activities Complex.
Central faced a pair of athletic players at the top of the Lynx lineup and was once again up to the challenge.
“That’s just a testament to those guys dealing with the problems in the back and they’ve gotten better as the season has gone on,” said Central coach Lance Mohr of his defensive players. “That’s a tough team because they have two really talented players up top and they play very direct and they dealt with it. We minimized it, even when they got in, we minimized their quality of chances, which is exactly what we want to do.”
The Golden Eagles got the only scoring they needed off the foot of Johnson, who scored once in front of the Brandon Valley goal and another on a breakaway.
“I kind of just anticipated my teammates getting the ball and getting it through,” Johnson said of his first goal. “I just knew they had it in them and they laid it off to me, and I just had to finish it up.”
The junior’s second goal almost went wide. The ball hit the post and caromed into the back of the net just before the first half ended.
“I did hit the post. I was a little scared it didn’t go in, but then it bounced in,” Johnson said. “It was pretty exciting.”
Meanwhile, Central’s defense was once again air tight, something the team takes a lot of pride in.
“All of us need to defend as one unit, and then if we’re not defending as one unit, it all falls apart, so our captains especially keep us locked together as we defend together,” said Central senior defender Gavin Yost. “Because we’re not three separate pieces, we’re all together. So defending together is really important for us.”
Johnson said the team’s defense helps to set the tone in practice for the entire squad, regardless of player position.
“The defense has just been locked in. Every practice they’ve been working hard,” Johnson said. “They’re challenging all of us, because they’re so good back there no one can get through them usually.”
Central had the potential to score more goals against the Lynx, but was unable to cash in on numerous opportunities which included a dozen corner kicks and multiple free kicks.
“It’s a product of doing the right thing. That last piece will come eventually,” Mohr said. “We just want to keep trying to do the right thigs for as many minutes as possible throughout the game.”
The Golden Eagles, who are off to a 6-1 start this season, are showing maximum effort all over the field, often racing to try and track down balls no matter where they’re located on the field.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Yost said. “Every ball should be ours. That’s our mentality.”
Central head on the road for a game against Sioux Falls Roosevelt on Tuesday.
Brandon Valley 0 0 – 0
Aberdeen Central 2 0 – 2
First Half: 1, AC, Linus Johnson, 23rd minute; 2, AC, Linus Johnson, 39th minute.
Second Half: No scoring.
Shots on Goal: Brandon Valley 4; Aberdeen Central 14.
Goalies: Brandon Valley, Lennox Kane (12 saves); Aberdeen Central, Zander Kuhfeld (4 saves).
