ROCK SPRINGS – Getting to play in front of the home crowd for the first time in a season is a special moment for sports teams. Evanston was able to get the best of the Rock Springs Tigers in their 2015 home debut in overtime.
Last time out for the Tigers (1-2-2), a bad first half led to a Green River Wolves win. Although losing by six, Rock Springs had a lot to build off of. The Tigers had a solid second half in Green River and were able to control the ball much better in that half. After giving up five first-half goals, the Rock Springs defense kept Green River off the board in the second until the final minutes of the game.
While the Tigers defense has been solid all year, excluding the Wolves match, the offense has struggled to score goals. They have been able to control the ball well but have just not been able to find the back of the net. Rock Springs looked to turn this around against the 0-6 Evanston Red Devils as they took the home field for the first time this season.
The Tigers looked like a different team as they came out very aggressive offensively. With 10 minutes left in the first half, the Tigers put a one on the scoreboard first. Tiger Hector Quezada gave Rock Springs the lead with a goal and that was the way it would remain until the halftime whistle.
The Tigers continued to control the ball offensively in the second half and had several good looks but were turned away. As for the Tiger defense, they continued to keep Evanston off the board. The Red Devil’s offensive attacks were mostly single breakaways but with about 15 minutes left, Evanston was able to get a more consistent attack.
With 11 minutes in the game and the Tigers still holding on to a one-point lead, a defensive hiccup allowed Evanston to even the game. It only took a minute after the Red Devil goal and the Tigers were again firing away, but to no avail. Evanston also had a couple of solid looks in the final ten minutes too but could not break through the Tiger defense.
In the overtime session, another defensive lapse allowed Evanston to get the lead. Despite their best efforts, the Tigers could not get it back as they dropped to the Devils, 2-1. Head Coach Sean Grube was quick to point out the difference in the game.
“Two defensive errors and Evanston was able to steal a win from us,” he said.
The Tigers had a much better game on Tuesday on both sides of the ball. Grube said the team continues to come around.
“We knew we were going to be able to possess the ball this game. We just needed to attack the goal,” he explained. “I think overall we attacked well. We need to finish our shots and the game would have been over in regulation. Defensively we marked up much better this game.”
While offensively the Tigers looked better, Grube said practices since the Green River match have been focused mostly on defense, both marking and clearing.
“Now it’s time to focus on finishing our attack,” he expressed.
Rock Springs will get a little more tournament play as they are scheduled to play in the Pinnacle Cup Soccer Tournament in Worland on Friday. They are scheduled to play Pinedale, Worland and Rawlins on Friday.
