Tigers improve to 2-0

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Saturday, August 18, 2007 11:55 AM EDT

BILL NORRIS SPECIAL TO THE STANDARD

Bardstown used solid defense and goals from Ben Howell and Paul Lanham to extend its record to 2-0.

The Tigers took control of the game early, resisting the Eagles' attempts to advance through the Bardstown defense but the Tigers had a man there all night. Fort Knox was constantly harassed and bumped off of the ball and could not get into any sort of flow offensively. If the Eagles managed to get off a shot it was stopped by goal keeper David Conway. Every defender who stepped on the field had a solid effort and helped create opportunities for the offense.

Ben Howell punched in the first goal of the night in the 12th minute of the first half. Bardstown's relentless defense had stopped the Fort Knox attack at midfield. In a race for a loose ball Fort Knox tried to clear the ball back to their goal keeper Nathan Pesina. Howell saw the opportunity and went for it, beat Pesina to the ball and put one in the left corner of the net to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

Later in the half the defense again set up the offense with a scoring opportunity. Bardstown was able to clear the ball past midfield and Paul Lanham raced downfield between two defenders to fire off a shot from 15 yards out that Pesina was able to deflect. Unfortunately for Pesina, Lanham kept charging, picked up the rebound and put the ball in the net for a 2-0 lead.

The second half presented many opportunities for the Tigers to build on their lead but they could not put the ball in the net. The opportunities created by the stout defense continued throughout the match. Bardstown defenders were able to bump the Fort Knox players off the ball repeatedly and keep them from getting any clear shots on goal. The only really good chance for the Eagles came by way of a free kick with just more than two minutes left in the game, but it went wide right and the Tigers controlled the clock for the remainder to seal the win.

Bardstown visits Central Hardin Tuesday.