Lynx hand Yankton 1st loss of year

The Lynx boys popped the Yankton boys’ balloon by handing the previously-undefeated Bucks a 1-0 loss. The victory was especially satisfying, as Yankton possessed the ball for the bulk of the match played Sept. 7 in Yankton.

Brandon Valley’s defense was spot on, containing Yankton to just a couple of “really good chances,” according to head coach Chris Limmer. “Most of their shots were from long distance.”

With no score at the half and 27:30 to play, BV senior Mayer Matthies was attempting a shot and was shoved over in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick. Justin Vest stepped up to take the ensuing kick and calmly “put it top bins” (placed it in the upper corner) for the lone goal of the game. 

After conceding a goal to their guests, the Bucks stepped up the pressure but the Lynx successfully frustrated their hosts, defending their slim lead for the remainder of the game to net their second win of the season.

Lynx goalkeeper Ayden Spicer was awarded with 11 saves on the night.

BV 0, Pierre 3

With a game plan of containing Pierre’s two best players on Saturday afternoon in Brandon, Limmer and company believed they had a good chance to persevere.

And for large share of the first half, the Lynx did that.

“We were possessing the ball more and dictating most of the play,” Limmer said. “I was happy with how we were playing.”

Then came the 15th minute of the match, when Pierre’s Cole Peterson received the ball and raced toward the penalty area and was taken down by a Lynx defender. The Governors were awarded a penalty kick and Julian Watson was shown a yellow card for a clumsy challenge. Although Spicer initially saved the ensuing penalty kick, which was taken by Peterson, the Pierre senior was able to put the rebound into the back of the net to make it a 1-0 game. 

Less than a minute later, Peterson struck again, showing how his breakaway speed propelled him to be the top goal scorer in the state. After Peterson received a ball around midfield, he blew by the Lynx defenders to slot a low shot past Spicer. 

Trailing 2-0, Limmer said they implemented some changes at halftime, focusing their efforts on being more attack-minded, “which I thought worked, but we couldn’t seem to break down Pierre’s defense to be able to create many dangerous situations.”

Late in the game, while the Lynx were pushing more players forward to snag a goal, Pierre scored again to finish off the 3-0 victory.

Following Tuesday’s home match against Watertown, the Lynx (2-5-1) play host to Mitchell on Tuesday, Sept. 21, which is one of two games they’ll play during BV’s homecoming week.