Lassen closes out conference with loss to Butte College
On Friday, the Lassen men's soccer team played their final game of the regular season at home against Butte College. The Cougars were eager to end the regular season on a high note after coming off a 1-1 draw against conference rival Lake Tahoe but a solid defensive assault by the Roadrunners left the Cougars scoreless, 3-0.
Lassen began the match with a great sense of determination and effort to push the ball forward and create goal scoring opportunities.
In the 20th minute, Cougars striker Marcos Paiz had a breakaway scoring opportunity that was denied by a last-minute tackle from a retreating Butte center back, preventing Lassen from obtaining a one goal lead.
As the first half drew to a close, Butte College was awarded a free kick on the left side of the Cougars penalty area, just outside the eighteen-yard box.
The Roadrunners delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal forcing Lassen defender Mael Graf to lung for the ball in an effort to clear it from the box. In doing so, the ball was redirected into the Cougars net for an own goal.
After dominating possession and creating numerous goal scoring opportunities the Cougars were forced to settle going into the second half down 1-0.
As the second half began, Butte came out with much more urgency and focus as they pressed their numbers forward, pushing the back line of Lassen deeper into their own half. Despite the pressure of the Roadrunners, the Cougars were able to play out of tight spaces and generate opportunities to score from counter attacking situations.
Midway through the second half, Lassen had back-to-back opportunities to score as NA was finding great joy attacking the left side of the pitch. Both opportunities were squandered as neither one lead to a goal. Butte went on to take advantage of the Cougars' missed chances and scored two more goals before the end of the match.
"Today was a wonderful opportunity for the lads to understand just how crucial it is to take advantage of the opportunities you create" said Head Coach Alex Machin. "When you play at a high level, the chances to score become fewer and fewer. It's crucial to make those moments count. Today, Butte did that. That's the standard we aim to set. Now it's time to regroup and refocus for next year and learn from all that we've done this season."
The Cougars finished the season 8-8-2 overall and 3-5-2 in the Golden Valley Conference.