Stallions fall to first half goal from Broncos
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera South’s Christian Garcia controls the ball at midfield during Friday’s 1-0 loss to Clovis North.
After opening the season undefeated, the Madera South Stallions boys soccer team was unable to make its chances count during a 1-0 non-conference loss to the Clovis North Broncos at Memorial Stadium.
“We made one mistake and gave them an opportunity to counter,” Madera South head coach Enrique Garcia said Friday night. “Our keeper made a heck of a save, but unfortunate the ball landed in front of the opposing team and they put it away.”
The Broncos were led by goal scorer Julio Moran and Josh Tyburski. While Moran garnered the plaudits for the goal in the first half, Tyburski wreaked havoc on the wings for Clovis North.
A combination of speed and power, Tyburski was not only able to muscle his way through challenges, but also sprint past them as he showed his class throughout the match.
Madera South gave a valiant effort, only allowing Tyburski and the other Broncos to score the one goal.
It was a collective effort for the Stallions both in attack and defense. Christian Garcia and goalkeeper Luis Segura combined to give the home team life in a game where chances were hard to come by.
Segura came up big whenever the Broncos reached his area, but an unlucky bounce marred his valiant effort.
Madera South might’ve been blanked on the scoreboard, but their willingness to attack never wavered.
Carlos Cardenas tried a curling shot in the first half after initially losing possession but couldn’t find the target as the ball sailed wide. The Stallions were unable to convert, but the Broncos had better luck.
In the 30th minute, Clovis North took the lead and never looked back.
It wasn’t until late in the second half before Madera South threatened the opposing goal. Jose Arreola took control of a free kick in the opponent final third. Arreloa ran up with confidence but couldn’t find the target as the low strike narrowly missed the bottom corner of the net.
Garcia nearly tied the game in the final 10 minutes of the match after he galloped past multiple Bronco defenders before using his strength to gain enough space in for a shot. The ball flew off Garcia’s foot, directly into the path of the Bronco keeper. Although the ball was directed at the keeper, the ball dipped and gave the Broncos a scare.
Although the Stallions came up short, the season is young, and the Stallions have a lot to fight for this season. A message of positivity is key moving forward.
“We have to stay positive because this game, without a doubt we controlled it,” Garcia said adamantly. “Against a very strong and talented team Clovis North team, we fought and battled. We’re going to stay positive and go right back to work on Monday.”
