Clarkston’s Bombi Valentin (7) fights with Tucker’s Jerry Kabwende (9) for control of the ball in second half action of Clarkston’s 2-0 win over Tucker. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Clarkston scored one goal in each half on the way to a 2-0 win over Tucker in a DeKalb boys’ soccer rivalry at Hallford Stadium on Friday night.
Tucker had a few missed opportunities in the game, but Clarkston sophomore goalie Bhuman Biswa made some big saves to keep the Tigers off the board as well.
Biswa had a save just 1:22 before the Angoras (4-4) took the lead 1-0 on Bombi Valentin’s blast just under the crossbar with 23:44 left in the first half.
Another Biswa save at the 13:02 mark kept it 1-0 and Tucker’s Carlos Castro came within inches of tying the score with 9:10 remaining in the opening half, but his shot went just wide right.
Trailing 1-0 Tucker came out in the second half putting more pressure on the Clarkston defense, but shots kept missing and Biswa made some nice plays in goal.
Tucker goalie Andrea Abwe (1) comes up with a save with the help of teammate Mourmor Ayok (on ground) to prevent Bombi Valentin (7) from picking up a goal. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Less than a minute into the second half The Tigers (8-5) missed a prime opportunity as shot on goal went high over the crossbar. Biswa then had big saves coming out front of the goal at the 32:28 and 23:55 marks to preserve the 1-0 Clarkston lead.
Another Tucker shot was close but missed wide left with 19:28 to play then Biswas made a big play in traffic with 18:32.He knocked down a point blank shot by the Tigers and his defense kept the Tigers from scoring off the deflection.
Two more Tucker opportunities were nullified by offsides calls and Biswa made another big save at the 11:28 mark as the relentless Tiger attack just could not break through for a score.
Clarkston clinched the win with 4:59 to play as captain Gilbert Leonard lofted a free kick from about 25 yards right to left towards the goal. The shot was deflected off the hands of Tucker goalie Andrea Abwe but not enough as it squeezed in just under the crossbar to make it 2-0.