HURON — If the season opener is any indication, the Huron boys’ soccer team may be poised to make a run into the postseason this year.
The Tigers used a pair of goals in the first half stand up for a 4-2 victory against Aberdeen Central on Tuesday at Tigers Stadium. The Golden Eagles have been in the state championship game during four of the past six seasons, winning the title in 2016.
“This is the first win over Aberdeen Central in at least 4 years,” Huron coach Leah Branaugh said.
“I was so impressed with the way we came out and scored the early goals. We were able to maintain possession and slow the game down in the second half when we got tired.”
The Tigers put its first goal on the board just 11 minutes into the game, as Sha Sher found the net on a pass from Thai Say.
Sher then helped Huron extend its lead to 2-0 as he found Eduardo Trujillo on a pass, which resulted in a goal in the 18th minute.
Aberdeen Central had a prime opportunity to slice its deficit in half near the end of the first half with a free-kick just outside of the box, but Huron goalkeeper Alex Bautista, who is just a sophomore, recorded the save to allow the Tigers to take a 2-0 advantage into the half.
“We have a great mix of senior leadership but also some eighth and ninth graders that are getting varsity playing time,” Branaugh said. “The boys really played as a full team and played with such great soccer passion.
“Our two goals were picture-perfect,” she said. “The first goal was an amazing header by sophomore Sha Sher on a pass from senior Thai Say, while the second goal was a one-touch shot by Eduardo Trujillo (senior) from Sha Sher.”
Branaugh pointed to a strong defensive effort from her team in the second half as the key to holding on for the win.
“Our defense really stepped up tonight, led by our seniors Aung Min and Jackson Lah,” she said. “Our goalie, sophomore Alex Bautista played an amazing game with quality saves.”
The lone goal for the Golden Eagles came in the 52nd minute.
In the junior varsity boys’ game on Tuesday, Huron and Aberdeen Central battled to a 3-3 draw.
Biat Say had all three goals for the Tigers, while Nick Weir had five saves in the net.
The Tigers will return to action Thursday when they host James Valley Christian in a 5:30 p.m., game at Tiger Stadium.
