By CINDY CROSBY
The Colleton County varsity boys’ soccer team was shutout 10-0 by Region VII opponent James Island High School on April 8 on the road. The Cougars game against Hilton Head High School scheduled for Tuesday April 5 was postponed due to increment weather.
Colleton County is currently 2-9 overall and 0-9 in conference play.
“The first half against James Island was close and we trailed 3-0 at the half,” said Coach Brian Reid. “We held them scoreless for about 18 minutes before giving up two goals just before halftime. I thought we played really organized defensively, but it did not transition to the offense. In the first half, I divided the coaching responsibilities to help the players move correctly. It worked well for the first half since the players were in front of us, but in the second half the team was on the other side of the field and no longer under our direct control.”
“In the first 10 minutes of the second half, we basically fell apart and allowed four goals to leave us trailing 7-0,” said Reid. “After that, we responded, began to play soccer and attack, and even held some possession. We just cannot allow teams to create huge goal differentials and then decide to battle.”
“We have a young team that needs to learn to attack and pressure forward, even on really good teams,” said Reid. “We all know James Island is the defending state champion, No.1 in our region, ranked in the state, and was at one point ranked nationally – but we must play more positively. Negative play is destroying everything we are coaching along with not battling for 50/50 balls, not checking to receive a pass, dropping off immediately as a team when the other team gets possession, and not supporting players when they have the ball. We must change these things to have a good shot of finishing the season on a positive note.”
The Cougars hosted Bluffton High School on April 19 at home, and then travel to Beaufort High School on Friday, April 22.
