Bulldogs win 1st

Published 12:02 am Thursday, February 14, 2013

Andalusia senior goalkeeper Chris Smith rushes to scoop up a loose ball during the first half Wednesday night. | Andrew Garner/Star-News

Andalusia senior goalkeeper Chris Smith rushes to scoop up a loose ball during the first half Wednesday night. | Andrew Garner/Star-News

Andalusia beat Robertsdale 2-1 Wednesday night to win its first official varsity soccer game.

On a wet and soggy turf at Andalusia Municipal Stadium, the Bulldogs pressed up field on offense and held their Class 6A opponent on defense, thanks to good backfield and goalkeeper play.

AHS head soccer coach Tim Ramsden said he couldn’t be “more happy” with the Bulldogs’ performance.

“I can coach them in soccer. We can get them uniforms and line the fields. I can’t teach them heart and determination,” Ramdsen said. “They showed that tonight.”

Andalusia’s first goal came from one of the smallest players in Kiki Wain, a seventh grader.

Hiren Patel was fouled just passed midfield on the Golden Bears’ side of the pitch to set up another free kick.

AHS sophomore Kevin Rooks got the ball in the air, where sophomore Trey Ossenfort headed the ball to Wain, who then got the shot inside the goalkeeper’s box at the 30-minute mark of the first half.

“For little Kiki to come out here and score, that’s big for a seventh grader,” Ramsden said.

The Bulldogs led 1-0 at halftime.

Leading Andalusia’s defense was senior goalkeeper Chris Smith, who made a nice deflected save in the first half and some key saves in the final 40 minutes of the game.

At the midfield position, Ramsden said Hiten and Hiren Patel, seniors and brothers, were anchors for the Bulldogs.

Andalusia got its second goal within the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Robertsdale’s Brandon Herring got a tackle just outside of the goalkeeper box on Hiren.

Hiren kicked the free shot and the ball whizzed by the Golden Bears goalkeep, and AHS took a commanding 2-0 lead.

RHS answered about 18 minutes later when Zackery Scarborough sent the ball to the upper left corner on Smith.

Scarborough’s goal came after a shielding penalty by the Bulldogs.

“It’s a win and I couldn’t be happier about that, but we’ve got some things to work on,” the Andalusia coach said. “We still made some silly mistakes that we can correct.”

Driving the Bulldogs at forward was Ossenfort, who made himself open for several opportunities on shots at the goal.

Ramsden said Ossenfort’s, along with good defense by Rooks, were notable.

“Trey worked effortlessly up front,” he said. “We need him up there doing that. Kevin played really well at center on defense and anchored us back there.”

Andalusia will be back in action tomorrow night in a home contest against Mary Montgomery.

Kickoff is at 6 p.m.