The Grizzlies (5-5-0, 3-1-0 region), who moved into second place in the
region standings, controlled play for most of the match. Logan unofficially
outshot Sky View (3-3-3, 1-1-1) 18-6, including a 10-4 advantage in shots on
goal, but the Bobcats — led by center back Cory Fowers — held firm defensively
for 60 minutes.
Simply put, Logan struggled to find space in the attacking third with Sky
View committing so many numbers defensively.
However, the Bobcats struggled to defend Logan’s five corner kicks in the
second half, and the Grizzlies made them pay in the 60th minute. Beto Rincon
lost his man and powerfully headed a Kayd Marquez corner past stellar Sky View
goalkeeper Nelson Griffiths.
“It was a well-placed ball by Kayd and then excellent execution by Jose
Beto,” Martin said. “We had other (corners) too that the guys couldn’t put on
frame, so for him to put that in the back of the net against a quality keeper
like Nelson, that was awesome. And we knew it had to be a set play or something
like that to break down their defense.”
“The player who marked (Beto Rincon) knew at the time that he let him go, and
until we start being consistent like I said before, we won’t be very good,
especially with the talent that Logan has,” SV head coach Kelly Knowles
said.
Beto Rincon added an insurance goal in the 73rd. A Sky View player missed a
header and the ball fell to Marquez, who was off to the races down the right
wing. Marquez took his space and slotted a pass centrally to an unmarked Beto
Rincon, who dribbled it around Griffiths and finished in an open net.
“It felt good to score (those goals),” Beto Rincon said. “You know, we played
as a team and it felt great. We passed great and it was just great soccer for
us. ... We’ve been preparing for this game for the past week, we were ready for
them and we just came out hard and came out with 110 percent
(effort).”
Angel Reyes had nearly given the Grizzlies a two-goal advantage a few minutes
earlier on a beautiful long run and return pass from Alex Brown. Reyes’ shot
just went wide left.
Sky View’s Jaden Wood and Tanner Hulse did have decent looks at the goal in
the match’s final three minutes. Wood made Logan keeper Sean Lyne dive to his
left to corral his shot.
For the most part, though, the Bobcats struggled in the attack, and the
Grizzlies’ backline kept their shape well when Sky View counter
attacked.
“I thought our possession was terrible and, you know, we didn’t seem to be
able to trap a ball, and then we kind of panicked and just starting kicking the
ball,” Knowles said. “And we won’t score if we’re just going to kick it. We’ve
got to be able to connect a few passes.”
Griffiths made eight saves, including a handful of relatively difficult ones,
for the Bobcats, including a diving stop on a 26-yard free kick by Marquez in
the first half. Sky View substituted freely throughout the match, but to no
avail.
Marquez, who entered the game as a reserve, returned from his four-match
suspension and helped Logan’s midfield take control. The Grizzlies are close to
having all their top players available, and that’s bad news for the rest of the
region.
“We haven’t been at full strength yet,” Martin said. “We’re still missing
some guys ... but it’s great (to have Marquez back). ... When he’s at his best,
we’re at our best, and he just adds to our team.”
