Low numbers create challenges

Sonja Karp

NLJ Sports Editor

The Dogie Soccer team went into last week’s competitions against the No. 5-ranked Buffalo Bison and a challenging Rawlins Outlaws team with a very small roster of only 11 players. Head coach Sally Hoover noted that those low numbers factored into her squad’s two conference losses. 

When the Bison came to town on Thursday, the Dogies understood the uphill battle they faced. However, Hoover’s squad dug deep and played a great first half of soccer against the talented Buffalo team. Unfortunately, fatigue in the second half resulted in a small letdown by Newcastle, which the Bison used to tally five goals and take the 5-0 victory home.

“The boys executed the best soccer they have played all season in the first half,” Hoover said. “They were communicating and they just did all the things that we had talked about (in preparing for the game).”

Hoover prepped her team for the type of offense the Bison typically use, explaining that if they are within 30 yards of the goal, they are going to shoot if given an inch of room.

“We did such a good job in that first half of making sure we were marking players and really just made it difficult for them to get off any really good shots,” she said.  

That solid defensive effort paid off as the two teams went into the half knotted up at zeroes on the scoreboard. 

However, having no subs began to wear on the Dogies in the second half. The Bison were able to score their first goal 10 minutes into the half, opening up a flood of scoring and culminating in their fifth and final goal finding the back of the net with 13 minutes left to play.

“There was a short span in the second half where we
were tired and weren’t marking as well as we had in the first,” Hoover said. “But then we turned things back around and didn’t let anything else in.” 

Damian Ankeney had only 15 saves, which means the Dogies did a good job as a team defensively. Though Buffalo took a lot of shots, most were not on frame, which is the result of the Dogies doing a good job of marking the Bison’s offensive threats. 

On Saturday in Rawlins, the youth and inexperience of Hoover’s squad came into play in the team’s 0-6 loss.

“We talked about (Rawlins’) style of play, and the older kids understood and were ready for it, but those young kids really didn’t know what they were getting into,” Hoover said. “The Outlaws run fast and move the ball fast, and without any subs we really couldn’t make any adjustments, so it took a minute for the younger boys to get oriented to their style of play.”

The Outlaws used that advantage to score four goals in the first half. One was the result of a PK, one was rebounded off a saved shot, while another was from a corner kick.

“Rawlins is a tough opponent to play against no matter how much you talk about it. Until the kids see it, they really don’t understand,” Hoover explained. “We were also missing a few of our key players and had to move people around, so we were a little disjointed.”

In the second half, the Outlaws only scored two goals, which was a marked improvement over the first half, especially factoring in the fatigue the Dogies were fighting. 

Rawlins totaled 14 shots on goal, with 11 in the first half, while Esposito answered with two shots on goal for the Dogies. 

“We were definitely not on our A-game. Yes, we faced some added adversity on Saturday, but we have to learn to adjust to that and step up,” Hoover said. “I will be excited to play them again with our full squad and with everyone knowing what they are up against.” 

The Dogies will start the second half of their season by hosting Worland on Friday for senior night, beginning at 4 p.m., and then Douglas comes to town on Saturday with kickoff scheduled for noon.

Newcastle v. Buffalo 4/24/25 0-5

Caden Esposito: 0-1 shot on goal

Damian Ankeney: 15 saves

Newcastle @ Rawlins 4/26/25 0-6

Caden Esposito: 0-2 shots on goal

Damian Ankeney: 14 saves