Bobcats Still Optimistic After Big Win Over Washington & Jefferson

Frostburg State got their second straight win this past Saturday evening, with a 6-1 blowout victory over Washington & Jefferson. The Bobcats’ offense finally found the grove they have been struggling to find since the second game of the season. FSU kicked off the scoring early, earning a goal just 12 minutes in, when Bobcat sophomore Kelvin Tata put the ball in the net on a nice pass by freshman Josh Mcrobie. But just three minutes later, Washington & Jefferson tied it up from a penalty kick by Matt Prezioso. Things stayed pretty even for the rest of the first half, with the game going into halftime tied 1-1. From that point on, the Bobcats had full control of the game, dominating the opposition. In the 56^th minute of the game, Bobcat sophomore Ernie Williams capitalized off of a Presidents’ turnover, giving FSU a 2-1 lead. In the 67^th and 74^th minutes of the game, Bobcat freshman Josh Mcrobie scored back to back goals, giving FSU a 4-1 lead and giving Mcrobie his fifth and sixth goals of the season. Mcrobie now leads the CAC in goals, and also leads the conference in points this season with 13. In the 79^th minute, a Presidents defender accidentally knocked the ball into his own net trying to block a Bobcat pass. Finally, in the 87^th minute, the Bobcats put away an insurance goal when senior Nabayee Tesfu was able to put the ball past the goalkeeper on a breakaway, giving Frostburg State the 6-1 victory.

The Bobcats were back in action last Tuesday night, at Lycoming, where they fell to the Warriors 1-2. It was very clear early on that this game was going to be another tight defensive battle for the Bobcats. Both teams were able to record five shots in the opening period, but neither team was able to get it past the opposing goalkeeper going into halftime tied 0-0. In the second half, the Warriors began to pull away from the Bobcats, recording 12 shots, compared to the Bobcats three. Finally, in the 63^rd minute of the game, the Warriors struck first on a breakaway by Steven Riad, as he slipped behind the Bobcats defense on a pass from teammate Jordan Logan. It was only five minutes later though, in the 68^th minute, when Bobcat sophomore Kelvin Tata was awarded a penalty kick, and he made the most of it, putting it in the back of the net to even the game 1-1. The game came down to a dramatic finish, unfortunately in the Warriors favor, when in the 85^th minute, the Warriors Abdullahi Abdi scored what would turn out to be the game winner, giving Lycoming the 2-1 victory. The Bobcats were outshot 17-8 in the game, with six of Lycoming’s shots coming in the final minutes.

Coach Byrnes says that the team is still very optimistic about the remaining games of the season. As they get ready to start CAC conference play, Coach Byrnes hopes that their tough, non-conference games earlier in the season can help prepare them for what lies ahead in the remaining games.  The Bobcats host CAC Conference opponent Wesley on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m.