The boys soccer season got off to a solid start last week with the Falcons besting teams from North Pointe Prep and Ben Franklin High School, both on the road.

The action continued Monday evening with a home match against Miami and the Falcons will wrap up the 2016 portion of their season this Thursday, Dec. 15, with a road match against the team from Northwest Christian. That match is set to begin at 6 p.m.

According to head coach Matt Pugliano, the local guys are excited to be up and running.

“It’s been really good to see how the hard work we’ve put in over the past month of practice and, for some of us, since the end of last season, has paid off,” he said.

North Pointe

The Falcons began their season on the road Dec. 7, playing the team from North Pointe Prep.

According to Pugliano, the Falcons took a little time finding their groove but, once they did, there was no stopping them.

“We looked a little nervous to start, but settled down nicely and got to our game plan,” he added.

Cooper Weisbach got the scoring drive started with a 35-yard shot, which bounced off of the keeper’s hands and fell into the goal.

“Jesse Boersma would add another from Cole McAuliff a few minutes later on a nice cross,” Pugliano said. “We kept pounding away at the goal, eventually adding another before halftime.”

This third goal came from McAuliff on an assist from Robbie Trudeau.

“It was a great feeling going into halftime with a lead for a change,” Pugliano said of the now 3-0 game. “Since we were controlling the game for the most part, I felt comfortable subbing players in and out to get the new guys some game experience.”

Before the final whistle sounded, McAuliff found the back of the net once again off of an assist, leading to the Falcons’ 4-1 final victory.

Ben Franklin

Last Thursday, Dec. 8, Pugliano said his guys were riding high on their big victory from the night prior as they hit the road to Queen Creek to play the team from Ben Franklin High School.

Despite the high spirits, however, Pugliano said the Falcons once again took a little time finding their groove.

“We definitely looked a little lackluster in warmups but quickly got on the board with a goal by McAuliff on an assist from Jesse Boersma,” Pugliano said.

Pugliano said that Ben Franklin quickly proved they were no pushover, battling back to take several shots on the Falcons’ goal.

“Our own laziness allowed BFHS to score a goal as they beat us to a ball and we were quickly on our heels trying to defend ineffectively,” Pugliano said.

With about 10 minutes left to go, he added that the game got pretty hectic.

“Both sides battled back and forth,” Pugliano continued. “Fortunately, we were able to force a couple corner kicks towards the end and we finally took advantage of one.”

Jacob Simon volleyed home what Pugliano called a “wonderfully served ball” by Jesse Boersma to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead, which is where the game would stay.